Now you all know how important working out and staying healthy is to me. It’s a focus not only for myself and my family, but its also been a commitment of mine to stress the importance of leading healthy lifestyles to kids throughout the country. I’ve been dedicated to helping kids have the right tools and information they need in order to lead healthy and active lifestyles through my Truth on Health Campaign.

Over the years, I’ve learned just how important it is for both me and my career to stay healthy. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve put much more of an emphasis on eating right and taking care of my body. At my age, the aches and pains come a little quicker and stay a bit longer, so it’s really important for me to take the utmost care of my body to continue to excel in this league. I also always make sure I eat a healthy balanced meal before each game so that I’m ready to go.

Through the Truth on Health and FitClub34, I’ve been able to help young people live healthy livestyles by encouraging 60 minutes of fun physical activity a day through fitness videos I created with engaging exercises. There are plenty of simple ways to get your exercise in for the day that I recommend – taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing jumping jacks to your favorite tunes, challenging your friend to a push-up contest, playing tag or jumping rope.

I’ve found a few new products recently that have really allowed me to get the energy that helps fuel my workouts and the nutrients I need to help recover quickly – I’m pretty excited about it! The company is called Fuse Science. As an athlete who needs to perform at the highest level, I am always looking for more efficient ways and for products that help me be my best. I soon realized I wasn’t the only fan of their products – other athletes like Tiger Woods, Arian Foster, and David Ortiz are already on board.

Before one of our games a few weeks ago, I tried one of their new products for the first time - PowerFuse – which is just one drop of liquid filled with natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals that gives you energy and makes you feel better all around – you can feel the effects immediately and you don’t crash like typical energy drinks. I could definitely feel the difference, and also had 10 rebounds that night. Coincidence, maybe? I’ll let you make your own judgment there once you try it yourself! Bottom line is, I’m happy to share with you that I’ve partnered with Fuse Science to help spread the word about their amazing products.

These products have been great for me and I think you guys know at this point that I take my partnerships seriously. I want to make sure that I am using a healthy product – something that is natural and good for my body, especially since I preach that through my Truth on Health initiative. Fuse Science believes in that same mentality, and their technology will help both kids and adults be more efficient with their health. I’m happy to announce that they will donate $1 for every Fuse EnerJel purchase when you enter the promo code “the truth” to my Truth on Health campaign, so I can continue to help empower and encourage young people to lead healthier lives.

If you want to check it out for yourself, you can go to www.poweredbyfuse.com and enter the promo code “the truth” to get $10 towards your purchase, while giving back to Boston’s youth while you’re at it!

It’s been great to start the year with this partnership off the court, and on the court, I’m ready to continue doing everything I can to help the team win for you guys, giving 110% so I can make sure we bring a Championship back to Boston!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

I can’t believe how fast this season has been moving – time really flies when you’ve been in the league as long as I have. We are already almost halfway through, and the All-Star break is going to be here before we know it. As a team, I think we’ve been on a roll as of late, and if you take a look at who we’ve beat recently, they’re some of today’s most high caliber teams. I think if we can stay healthy, and focus on rebounding and finishing out games, we have a great chance of going deep into the playoffs. I know we have the mindset and the mentality in place, and now we just have to continue competing the way we have been and get the job done. Our first and only goal is to bring home Banner 18 to the city of Boston.

One of the things that has stood out the most to me so far this year is the way the rookies have really fit into our program. They’ve meshed very well with all of us and haven’t played like your typical rookies. I’ve especially liked the play of Jared Sullinger. He’s been a great addition to our squad and has excelled for us, especially with his tenacity on the boards. He’s one of the best rookies in the league right now, and he deserves to be in the Rookie-Sophomore game at the All-Star break.

We’ve been a completely different team with Avery back in the line-up. He’s really given us a shot in the arm. Having his presence on the defensive end has strengthened our play and given us that competitive fire that we were lacking. He brings a whole other level of intensity to our ball club, and I think he’s also surprised some people outside of our team with his ability to knock down the open shot when he gets them. It feels good to have him back out there, and the key for us will be to keep everyone healthy as we head into the All-Star break.

You guys know that I take any chance I can to talk about one of my favorite rivalries. Being from Inglewood and a Celtic for life, there’s nothing better in my opinion than a Celtics vs. Lakers matchup. I know the Lakers have been struggling recently, but don’t write them off just yet. They have one of the best starting five in the league. Now that they have Nash back, I’m sure he’ll get those guys gelling and flowing again. You can never count a veteran team like theirs out as you get towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. Glad we won’t have to face them until the finals and that’s where we aim to be. Maybe they’ll be there too.

Well the postseason is still a ways away and we still have a lot of work to do. I can guarantee that we’ll continue to work hard and keep this momentum going. Until then, we’ll see you at the Garden. Let’s go Celtics.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Wow, this one still hurts.

KU nation should be proud of our team, Kansas had a real good run in the NCAA Tournament. We came from behind each round. I thought we might have one last comeback in us, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

I have to give it up to Kentucky and Coach Cal though – they had the most wins ever in a season by a national champion. They took the record away from my Jayhawks, and they deserved it. If you want to see how you stacked up against me when it was all said and done, take a look at my bracket @TheLockerRoom.

With March Madness over, it’s time for everyone to get revved up again about the NBA season. I feel like our team is coming together at the perfect time, even though we have had a couple tough losses. I feel good about how we have been playing, but we’re always working to improve.
With the postseason looming, I am giving you all another great opportunity to win a chance to see us take on the Magic on April 18 at the Garden. I’m raffling off my personal suite for the last time this season, so it’s go big or go home.

We are giving away 18 tickets to be split between three winners. Each winner will receive four regular seats and two standing room only tickets to my luxury suite. Not only will you get a great view of the game, but we will also be providing food and beverage in the suite, and an autographed ball signed by me for each of the three winners. All proceeds will go toward empowering and encouraging young people to lead healthier lifestyles through my Truth on Health Campaign, so do your part and buy those tickets today!

Raffle tickets are just $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets and can be purchased now at netraffle.org or truthonhealth.org. The winners will be selected on April 16 at 11AM EDT. You can visit truthonhealth.org for more information. Good luck!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Kansas Jayhawks, please stand up! My boys in crimson and blue have been rocking this tournament. I told you guys not to count them out. Now, we’re in the Final Four and only two teams stand in between us and that trophy. We can’t look too far ahead though, since Ohio State has had a great run. They will be a tough test, but I have faith in my team.

This year’s tournament has been a lot of fun to watch and it is really getting me pumped for the NBA playoffs. Four powerhouses are now ready to duke it out for the title, what else could you ask for? Besides having my Jayhawks still in the hunt, my bracket isn’t doing too bad either. I still have two of the Final Four teams in the mix. How do you guys match up against me and some of your other favorite celebrities? Take a look @TheLockerRoom to find out, or check out my personal bracket here http://pic.twitter.com/fYETTmmW.

Between the March Madness excitement and our playoff push, it’s been a crazy few weeks. This season has also held a lot of individual milestones for me, and I recently was fortunate enough to pass the great Clyde Drexler to become the 26th all-time leading scorer in NBA history. These are the memories I’ll be able to sit back and reflect upon once I’ve retired, but for now I’m focused on the goal at hand: getting back to the NBA Finals to bring another championship home to Boston.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

We’re only at the Sweet 16 and my Kansas guys already have me on the edge of my seat! That game against Purdue was intense. They were really handing it to us, but we were able to keep our composure and make a late comeback to pull it out in the end.

Hummel really had it going, but Coach Self made some great adjustments and it paid off. Basketball is all about rhythm and getting it going at the right time, and that’s exactly what KU did. That’s what you’ve got to do during March Madness, its win or go home and watch the rest of the action from your couch.

This year’s tournament has been great with all the upsets and surprises. While it’s been exciting to watch, it’s also got my bracket a little out of whack. No one could have predicted some of these outcomes, and I’ve got to say, as the competitive guy I am, I’m not too happy about being less than 50 percent with only seven of my picks making the Sweet 16. The great news though is that there’s a lot of unbelievable basketball being played.

Check out my bracket for yourself at @TheLockerRoom. You can also take a look at a bunch of other athletes and celebrity brackets in case you want to see how you stack up against the pros.

Next up for KU will be N.C. State and they’ve been one of the real underdog stories this year. They’ve got a first-year coach and he’s got his team playing good basketball. Make sure you guys tune in and show my Jayhawks some love this Friday night and don’t forget to keep checking in to @TheLockerRoom to follow my picks.

Check out my bracket here if you missed it last time. Here’s to hoping Kansas doesn’t become N.C. State’s third straight upset!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Alright now, here we go. It’s one of my favorite times of the year, March Madness time. I always look forward to filling out my bracket. And I always look forward to schooling the competition. Whether it’s my teammates, against my friends, or online, I play to win.

But this time I’m doing something a little different. I joined up with @TheLockerRoom so you guys can take a look at how I’m doing along with other athletes and even some celebrities that posted their brackets. You think you have what it takes? Here’s your chance to find out.

So far I’m 12 for 16, not too bad I’d say, even though I hate being less than 100 percent. As a Kansas guy, I just couldn’t pick our crosstown rivals Kansas-State over Southern Miss. I’ve got to hand it to them though, they competed and came out on top.

That’s what is so exciting about March Madness – anything can happen. It’s one and done, so if you have a bad night it’s all over and you’re going home. There’s neither rhyme nor reason on who wins, especially in the early rounds. Your team could have had the best season, but it’s all about rhythm, flow and momentum; really who gets it going at the right time.

Who do I think is going to cut down the nets at the end of it all? You’ll have to check out my bracket to find out. But rest assured, I always feel like my alma mater KU has a good chance…

I’ll be posting throughout the tournament to give you guys some insight on my picks so make sure you visit my bracket page to see how you’re doing against me and you can also see how you’re doing compared to some of your favorite stars!

Let the games begin.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Hey everyone– my suite raffle is back! Have you had the chance to make it out to a Celtics game this year? Ever sat in a suite? Well here’s your chance. And you can do it while supporting a great cause – my Truth on Health Campaign – which gives kids the tools they need to be more active and physically fit.

I’ve created a special raffle for my fans to win the chance to watch us take on LeBron, DWade and the Miami Heat on April 1 from my own personal luxury suite at the Garden. The best part is all proceeds will go to my Truth on Health Campaign so we can continue to help kids in Boston stay active and live a healthy lifestyle. And all you have to do is buy $10 worth of raffle tickets.

Not only will you get to watch the game with 11 of your friends from my personal suite, you’ll also get $500 of food and beverage, an autographed ball signed by yours truly and 12 Paul Pierce Activity Watches to help track your physical activity. Not bad right?

To enter the raffle, just visit my website www.truthonhealth.org or www.netraffle.org. Raffle tickets are only $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets. The winner will be selected on March 30 at 11 a.m.. Don’t miss out on this one and remember it’s all for a good cause!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

We just wrapped up All-Star Weekend and now we’re getting back to the grind. It was a nice break, but feels good to be playing basketball with my teammates again. I was humbled to hear I’d been selected for my 10th time. It was a great feeling to know that the coaches thought I deserved to be back and to have Rajon join me in Orlando was a bonus.

All-Star was a great time like always. It's nice to be able to get out there with some of the other guys you're so used to going up against. It was a tight game at the end and we ended up with a tough loss, but that's how it goes sometimes. Even though it's an all-star game, that doesn't mean competitiveness goes out the window. Defense maybe, but not the will to win. I was still messing around with the West guys, trying to get inside their heads at the free throw line and things like that. Those rivalries lie deep!

Now that we've entered the second half of the season, it's time to really get down to business. KG is on a tear since we’ve been back and believe it or not it’s getting to be that time where we gotta get everybody back and focused on getting ourselves in a good position to make a run. The time is now.

Speaking of getting down to business – we have a big game coming up on Sunday, and I have an awesome raffle going on for my fans right now to win a chance to sit in my personal suite at the Garden! Check it out online. You can buy raffle tickets for only $2 (minimum purchase of 5) to see us take on the Knicks at the Garden on Sunday March 4 from some VIP seats.

There will be three winners and each winner gets 4 tickets each. All the proceeds go to my Truth on Health campaign, which gives kids the tools and information they need to live a healthy lifestyle. You need to hurry to purchase your tickets though – the deadline is this afternoon at 2 p.m. I love when we can do things like this that benefit a good cause, especially one that I feel so passionate about. I hope you guys will take a chance and buy some tickets!

We’ve got two wins in a row, and have a big game coming up tonight – and I really think we’re heading in the right direction. Trust me, I speak the Truth when I say that we won’t allow anyone to take their foot off the gas. We’ve had some time to recharge the batteries, and now the pressure is on. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Now go buy your raffle tickets at netraffle.org – guaranteed to be a good time!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

I don’t know about you, but I’m still reeling from that Patriots loss. Playing at the Garden on the first Sunday with no football made me realize it’s going to be awhile before we get to see Tommy and the crew back in action.

I was devastated. I wanted Brady, Wilfork and the rest of the guys who have been here for so many years to get that next ring. Winning the Super Bowl would have brought them to the next level, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The Pats had a great year and you can’t take anything away from them, their accomplishments, or what they were able to do this season.

Losing on a big stage is a terrible feeling, I’ve been there. I’m sure they’re going into the offseason with a bitter taste, but they are competitive and they’ll be back. You can never go wrong when you’ve got my boy Brady in the pocket and Belichick on the sideline! Wilfork is one of the greatest linemen of all time. I’ve had a chance to watch him pretty much most of his career here and he’s just a great player, and he had arguably one of his best years.

As you can tell, I’m a huge Patriots fan, and a huge Boston sports fan in general. Typically, I try to make it to at least a game or two at Gillette, but unfortunately I didn’t get out there this year with our schedule and the shortened season. I am of course a fan of the Red Sox. As for hockey, I got to watch my first Bruins game last year during the Stanley Cup Finals. I’ve seen a lot as a Boston fan here, and one of my favorite Boston sports memories was getting to throw out the first pitch at Fenway after we won the NBA Finals in 2008.

There’s a lot of pressure that comes from being a professional athlete in the Boston limelight and I think that helps Boston athletes to share a natural bond. People here have very high expectations, in that they expect championships every year from each one of their teams. I definitely understand that and approach our game like that, and we don’t hang division or conference championship banners in the Garden. It’s World Championship or bust!

To be honest though, the lean years here were tough, so I know how happy the Bruins must have felt to get back to the top last year. Since I’ve been in Boston, I don’t think any city has won more titles across the board. I never would have thought that as a Celtic, I would see a team in each sport win championship. From the Sox to the Bruins, to the Pats and the green, this is truly a city of champions!

You fans are the driving force behind those championships. There is no other sports city like Boston because you guys are the best fans in the world. You don’t just show up and get loud, but you’re educated on the sports, and it shows.

We’re getting closer to the postseason with the Celtics, and I truly believe we’ll be there at the end. We’re going to work as hard as we can to be here come playoff time. The Bruins are killing it and it is almost time for Red Sox Spring Training. Things are looking up, and spring is just around the corner.

And, if I got anything to say about it we’ll be playing at the Garden well into the spring!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Man that one stings. Really tough loss against the Lakers, especially on the home court, but we’ll move on and use it as motivation for the next time. But, finally I can say we’re back to playing the kinda ball I know we’re capable of! You can see us starting to get a better feel for each other, especially on defense.

I got to celebrate a pretty cool personal milestone on Tuesday night against Charlotte, one I never even dreamt of when I first got drafted by the Celtics. Of course, team success and gettin' back to the Finals is my main priority, but I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I wasn’t proud to become the second all-time leading scorer in Celtics history. If you look at how many great players have worn the green, I’m humbled to be recognized among them. This was a real special moment and I’m glad it happened at the Garden in front of my home crowd. You guys have been behind me all these years and so it’s yours as much as mine.

While individual accomplishments aren’t something I think about a lot, it’s good to see the hard work pay off and that I got to do it all with one of the greatest franchises in sports. This day and age, having a player spend their whole career with one team isn’t something you see too much. And it’s definitely a two-way street. Wyc, Danny and Doc had the faith in me to keep me here and I’m grateful for that and try to go out there every night and show them and my teammates that they made the right choice.

I’ve been through a lot of good and some not so good years here, but I’ve been lucky enough to stay pretty healthy, and just remain persistent and consistent. It’s a combination of things you gotta have to reach this type of accomplishment. A lot of things have to go in your favor, but you’ve still got to put in the hard work and take care of yourself. That’s something I’ve definitely focused on the past few years and something I’ve tried to share with my fans, especially the kids out there, through my Truth on Health Campaign, www.truthonhealth.org. I try to pay a lot of attention to what I eat and make sure that I’m getting enough rest. Playing professional ball for a living, you have to make these things a part of your lifestyle, especially as you get older. It’s a big goal of mine to try and instill these values in young kids now so that it becomes part of their life too.

Now that I’ve moved into 2nd, I keep getting questions on whether I think I’ll pass my man Hondo to eventually retire as the top Celtics scorer in history – to be honest, I’m not so sure. Anything’s possible of course, but 4,500 is a lotta points man! I think about how long I want to play, and health will always be a factor, but it’s also something I’m not really chasing. I never thought about passing Larry Bird when I first came to this franchise. All you really think about is trying to win a championship and being the best player that you can be and the individual achievements will come. Passing Havlicek isn’t really something I’m gonna chase and I’m not the kinda guy who continues to play just for the records. Our ultimate goal is always to try and bring back another championship to Boston. That’s definitely my priority. I think you’re remembered more for winning titles than personal records in this sport because it’s such a team game. And, that’s especially true here in this city. They don’t call Boston Title Town for nothing!

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Man it feels good to be back home. After 13 years with the Celts, Boston will always be home, and being back in the city for a little makes me really get that itch to start playing some real games again.

You probably heard that I linked up with Rajon for his charity game over at Harvard last weekend, and while it was great to get out on the court with the guys, the main reason I was here was to join with The Boston Foundation over at the Salvation Army Kroc Center to launch our Million Hour Challenge.

It’s a cool new initiative of my Truth on Health Campaign that essentially throws the gauntlet down and challenges kids from all over the state to commit to doing one hour of physical activity a day. Our goal is to reach a combined 1 million hours of exercise in 2012, and after seeing the CHAMPS coaches and Playworks staff working the kids at our tip-off event at the Kroc, and knowing that CHAMPS is lining up close to 4,000 kids to participate, I have no doubt that we’ll get this done. But I’m gonna need the help of all you kids out there in Boston if we’re gonna make it happen.

Those guys over at The Boston Foundation are no joke. When they commit to something they are all in. It was great to get to see them in action and hang out with their President and CEO Paul Grogan and Robert Lewis Jr., their Vice President for Program. Robert is one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. By the time he was done talking to the kids, I was ready to try to tackle the million hours of exercise myself.

We had over 300 kids come out to the Kroc on Saturday morning for a fun day of fitness, with tons of cool activities like crab walk tag, obstacle courses and of course ya’ll know my favorite -- the hula hoop. They were havin’ so much fun, they didn’t even realize they were exercising. And that’s what it’s all about -- making fitness fun. They completed the hour so quick they couldn’t even believe it! Those guys over at Playworks know how to do it. And make no mistake; I was right there in the thick of it. It was a great excuse for me to jump in and join them and do stuff I haven’t done in years, so I was all about it. We gave all the kids a Paul Pierce Activity watch so they could log their first hour of activity and start entering the info into my Truth on Health site so they can get points and help their teams in the Million Hour Challenge.

And you know I’m always ready to roll when it comes to the competition, and it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re 8 or 80, you better bring it when you challenge me. And that’s just what those kids did when we invited them up on stage for a little friendly hula hoop competition. Now, you might not think that hula hooping is one of my strong suits, but with two little girls I actually get more hula reps in than you would imagine. So it started pretty smoothly and I was undefeated until the last girl came up to challenge my title. But this girl had skills. She came on stage with her game face on. And she ended up beating me… Like a drum! She was pretty good though, so I have to give her credit.

Then the Beantown Jumpers showed us some of their Double Dutch talents. Jump roping is another great way to stay in shape that I even use for the basketball season, but I can’t jump rope like them! They were great. Then our junior Celtics dance team “Lil Phunk” performed. I know y’all know how good they are, but seeing it up close was amazing! They perform at the Garden during our games a lot, but I’m usually listening to Doc on the sidelines or in the locker-room at half-time so I don’t get to see them. They can really move and did a great job of showing everyone how much fun you can have doing it.

After we finished up at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, I headed over to Harvard to get ready for the game. A lot of my old and current teammates came out to support Rondo and it was great that the crowd got to see a lot of our guys back together in Boston. Perk, Leon, Marquis Daniels, Jeff Green and Nate were all in the house, and other guys like Rudy Gay, Josh Smith, Kyle Lowry, JaJuan Johnson and Jeremy Lin came out as well. Kind of cool playing over at Harvard. Between Perk running the point and Leon shooting threes, you could tell the crowd was into it! I had a lot of fun. We're excited to get some real basketball soon.

How about this Indian summer we got goin’ on right now? Just when I’ve braced myself for the cold weather that’s sure to happen, we get a few days of summer heat! But I’m not complaining -- that means I get to hit the links a few more times and work on my short game. Golf is actually a pretty good workout too with all that walking.

I don’t mean to brag, but I have to say my golf game is gettin pretty solid. I feel lucky that I got to play so much this summer, hit a lot of balls, and check out a few different courses. Pretty soon I’ll be ready to get into some live competition like Barkley and Justin Timberlake. And who knows, maybe next year you’ll see me go stroke for stroke with the pros at the DBC.

But for real, I enjoy the game -- it’s relaxing and gets me to loosen up. There’s something about being outdoors -- the quiet around you, taking it at your own speed. Sometimes it’s a nice break from four intense quarters of ball at the Garden, but we all know I would never change my job for anything in the world! But, golf is easy on the body, and still a great form of exercise. It’s one of those things that you can do from age 5 to 85 -- or at least I’m plannin on it.

Through my Truth on Health Campaign, I encourage kids to look at exercise this way -- something that’s fun, you can do at any age, and at your own pace. Golf is one of the best examples of that. After 18 holes of walking the course, I doubt anyone is sayin they’re not tired….and you’ll feel it in your shoulders the next day, too. Golf is also a social game, one I love playing with my boys on sunny weekends, especially this time of year.

Now I do love golf, but ya’ll know my calling is basketball. Nothing wrong with havin a few hobbies, though! I love the game of basketball, being with the fans and playing for a city that’s been so good to me. So while golf is a nice break sometimes, hoops will always be my number one.

Everyone’s getting back in the swing of things now that we’re heading into fall. The kids are back in school with all their after school activities, parents are driving carpools, everyone’s trying to get back into the rhythm. Well, the rhythm in my house has definitely changed since our new baby girl arrived in May. It used to be my wife, our oldest daughter Prianna, and me. Now we’re up to a squad of four, and I’m lovin’ it. I know people say the transition from one to two kids is the biggest change – and I think they were right. Twice the diapers, twice the baby formula, twice the tears!

It’s definitely been fun though, enjoying the shiftin’ family dynamic and seeing my two girls bond. Prianna loves the baby – she’s all curious and wanting to take care of her. That sisterly bond starts at such a young age and it’s just so amazing to watch. I feel lucky that even with a busy schedule, I’m able to spend some time off with my family.

As I mentioned in my last blog, one of our main goals with the girls is to teach them to live healthy lifestyles from the get-go – the same way I try to inspire kids through my Truth on Health Campaign. We make sure to buy healthy foods and make home-cooked, nutritious meals whenever possible, and of course show them how fun it is to be active. We try to get outside as much as possible, runnin’ around, playin’ games, enjoying the sunshine. This time of year is so beautiful – not too hot and not too cold, and none of that killer humidity. Great for golf, hoops, and even a late-season visit to the beach with the whole crew.

I’m excited for when my little girl is older and she can join in on some of the activities. I’m looking forward to seeing what her personality will be like and what she’s interested in, and how different or similar the two girls will be. That’s one of my favorite parts about being a dad. My older daughter loves being outside, swimming, riding her bike. And she loves healthy food … grilled salmon is her favorite! Just goes to show how much power we parents have, and how we should use it to guide our kids in the right direction.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

It’s hard to believe that it’s September and summer’s almost over!

Hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Even though the weather hasn’t been great recently, I’m looking forward to sneakin’ in a couple more BBQs while the days are still long and before it gets too cold.

I’ve had some time this summer to sharpen my grilling skills and perfect my go-to recipes, but I’ve also tried a lot of new ones. I grill a lot of different stuff: salmon, ribs, chicken, shish-kabobs, grilled veggies – I could give my boy Ming Tsai a run for his money! A lot of what I cook is for guests when we have a big BBQ, and I enjoy that. I like watching my friends and family enjoy a healthy, home-cooked meal. Comfort food doesn’t have to be junk food, and there are plenty of ways to eat right. If I can do it – so can ya’ll.

So you know I’m always preachin’ about healthy eating through my Truth on Health Campaign, but I really believe the best way to make that happen for our kids is through parents. Parents and guardians set the example for their children – and that lasts forever. And we all know it’s real hard to break a bad habit. So many kids learn poor eating habits early on, which can carry over into their lifestyles as they get older … and that’s why you gotta start them young and set a good example for your child. This will become part of their routine and their attitude, and that way they’re more likely to stay on the right track for the rest of their lives.

My wife and I are real conscious about what the kids eat, and it starts with what we buy, ’cause if you don’t bring it into the house they can’t eat it! It’s not a diet – it’s a lifestyle. Parents really do have that control, and it makes such a difference. So we bring in the food we want our kids to eat: the fruit, veggies, fish, chicken, and create the habit for them so when they get older, it’s an automatic way of life.

Don’t get me wrong – I let my girls eat ice cream now and then and my favorite, chocolate cake, because you can’t deprive them, but it’s all about moderation and letting them know that it’s a special treat, and not an everyday thing. So go ahead and have that pizza party, enjoy it! But remember, there’s lots of food that tastes good and is healthy too - there are healthy alternatives for just about everything.

It all starts with you.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Ni hao! (That’s “Hi” in Chinese.)

I’m just getting back from China now -- had a blast and am really enjoying the final days of my summer. Sounds like everyone back home had to batten down the hatches for hurricane Irene. Seems like it was a crazy storm -- but thankfully looks like the brunt of it missed us. My thoughts go out to all those who were affected.

Now that the hurricane is over with I’m looking forward to some more sun time while we still have a chance to enjoy it, because once the kids go back to school, it’s not long before the weather starts gettin’ cooler and the days shorter. I’m sad to see summer go but am looking forward to the fall -- great workout weather! Nothing like seein’ the leaves change during an early morning jog or a bike ride. I try to promote fitness during all seasons with my Truth on Health Campaign -- let’s not get ahead of ourselves though; we still got some summer left on the calendar. Gotta take advantage while we can.

One of my favorite summer activities is going to the beach. I love everything about it. Chasing the kids, building sandcastles, swimming. I find the beach real relaxing. There’s so much to do at the beach to stay active, too. I’ve spent a lot of time this summer running on the beach -- one of the best cardio workouts you can do. Running on the sand really works your legs and even your balance and your joints. I definitely get a good sweat going, and the best part is I can just run into the ocean afterwards to cool off. I love swimming and so does my daughter. We love takin a dip together -- no matter the Pacific or Atlantic -- and it’s nice that she loves the ocean as much as I do. I think swimming is a great summer workout, too, and I plan on incorporating that into my FitClub34, to help kids take advantage of all that’s around to get fit and have fun. I’m even looking forward to taking the new baby swimming as soon as she’s old enough.

I can’t believe how fast this summer has gone by. It has been an unbelievable one though, especially with the new addition to my family. I’m already looking forward to next summer when I’ll have two little girls runnin’ around the beach that I’ll have to chase after. They definitely keep me young and keep me in good shape with all that energy. I hope y’all have had a great summer too…get out there and enjoy what’s left of it will ya?

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

I know ya’ll don’t want to admit that summer is coming to an end, but it’s the truth. No need to worry though there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy the warm weather for the next month or so and it really doesn’t get too cold out until November, so still plenty of time to be active outdoors. Outside and being active, and having fun while you’re doing it – that’s what I try to get kids and families to understand through my Truth on Health Campaign and some of my friends who support the Truth Fund, like Sports Illustrated and SI Kids.

Outdoor activities in the summer are pretty much endless, so no excuses that you get bored cooped up in the gym –not gonna fly with me! Running, jumping, baseball, football, basketball are all great summer activities. (I’m lucky enough to have an outdoor court at my house, so I play a lot of outdoor ball.) I’m no McEnroe, but I know tennis is another good one, and golf, too – something I’m continuing to work on – but more on that later. When it’s summertime, it’s all about being outside and using what’s around you to have fun. Even just a walk at night with your kids to the mailbox is better than nothing. The summer is great because there’s more daylight – and as we all know, we will sure miss that once we hit winter in New England.

Another one of my favorite summer activities besides hoops is swimming and running around on the beach with my family. Playing with my kids on the beach is a lot like basketball – I know I’ll never get tired of it. We play Frisbee, run in the waves, toss a ball around, anything to just enjoy the time by the ocean. I love being active with my kids because I know that I’m setting a good example for them. That’s what I try to do through my Truth on Health Campaign, too. I think one of the worst things for kids is getting into bad habits. It’s real important for parents out there to be active and set the example for their kids so they develop healthy habits at a young age. That way, they’ll hopefully stick to ‘em for their whole lives.

Now that you’ve heard me preaching about the importance of eating healthy and staying active, I want to share a really cool opportunity with y’all. This summer I’ve been helping SI Kids find a young athlete who is already ahead of the game for their SportsKid of the Year. SportsKid is basically the youth version of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. The winner appears on the December cover of SI Kids (hey, I’ve only been on the cover of SI Kids once and that was with KG and Ray!). The kids that win also get honored at the SI Sportsman Ceremony in New York City.

We’re taking nominations right now, just click here. The editors at SI Kids will pick finalists and open it up for voting on SIKIDS.com this fall. Now I know what you’re thinking: the winner is going to be some ridiculous, 10-time world champion. Does the SportsKid have to be a good athlete? Well, yes. But getting good grades, helping out in the community and just being an all-around good person will count just as much as the on-the-field stuff. If you have someone in mind—your son or daughter, maybe one of their friends, or a kid you’ve had a chance to coach—go nominate ’em. Or, if you’re 7-15 years old and want to nominate yourself, that’s cool, too! Past winners have been hockey players, tennis players, BMX riders, football players, you name it – it’s game.

I’ve been havin’ some fun with the SportsKid search - check out this video we shot. I made that winner’s jacket look good! Nominations close August 26, so don’t miss your chance by visiting the SportsKid of the Year site. Now go break a sweat!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

From left, Bob Novogratz, Melissa Shapiro-Zinman, Paul Pierce, Suzanne Kisbye, Cortney Novogratz. (Photo by Yuri Hasegawa).

So remember my Fitness Festival back in February during the All-Star break in LA? It wasn’t just a great chance for me to spread the word about the importance of healthy lifestyles through my Truth on Health Campaign, but it was also a real special occasion for Inglewood High thanks to HGTV and Bing. We did all kinds of cool fitness activities, but I think the moment that blew me away was the reveal of the amazing new locker room, all because of my pals Cortney and Bob Novogratz of HGTV’s “Home by Novogratz.”

You gotta check out the episode on Saturday on HGTV where they officially reveal it, though. I can’t wait.

Bob and Cortney overhauled the whole place. I still can’t believe it. They hooked up Inglewood HS with a spankin' new locker room complete with an area for kids to study before and after practice. I barely recognized it. Bing donated a bunch of new computers for the study area, which will really help kids with their school work, and of course all new exercise equipment. I was also flattered because they hung up framed versions of my old jerseys from Kansas and Inglewood. And of course my C’s jersey! I got to see it before Bob and Cortney showed the rest of the kids – and I gotta say, I was jealous, but these kids really deserve this and it’ll definitely help the whole community.

Bob and Cortney did a phenomenal job. In their words, the goal was to make kids feel appreciated, create a sense of community, encourage core values like respect and truth, and inspire them with bright colors and happy surroundings. The vibe of the new space is sixties inspired with splashes of cool hues, retro lighting, letters used as graphic focal points and oversized imagery to warm up the space and make it more intimate. To reveal it at a big, neighborhood event filled with fun and appreciation made it all the more special. Don’t forget to check it out for yourself on HGTV on Saturday.

The rest of the day at my All-Star Fitness Festival powered by Bing was just as great. It’s so important to appreciate your roots, as I’ve said before, so being back in my hometown for my 9th All-Star run was special. My family and friends, old coaches – everyone was there. I got to talk to the up ‘n’ comers on the Inglewood ball squad – even put on my best Pacino as coach Tony D’Amato and gave the kids a little motivational bit I put together. I led them in some yoga, dance and ball drills, and we even played Microsoft KINECT, which was something I hadn’t done before – technology is crazy these days. It’s cool how you can use tech gear like KINECT to get fit, which is kinda like how we use a watch and the Internet to track our fitness progress through my FitClub34.

The best part of the day was just being able to see how the more things change, the more they stay the same – Inglewood will always be my home and I feel lucky to be able to go back there and always feel welcome. The community there has been so good to me and I’m real grateful to be in a position where I can give back through programs like the Truth on Health and my partnership with Bing –can’t ever forget where you came from! Thanks again to Bing, Cortney and Bob Novogratz, HGTV, and all the peeps who helped put together the awesome Fitness Festival in my hometown. I will be watchin the reveal on Saturday on HGTV, you should check it out too.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Paul Pierce and Melissa from Everett at the recent camp at Basketball City

Hey all – so after a short hiatus I thought it was time to bring back the blogging. Fall is around the corner, school is starting, football is back – there’s a lot to talk about!

I hope you’re all having a great summer – I know I am. I just got finished coaching at my camp at Basketball City last week. It was a blast – the kids are so excited to learn. I always really appreciate watching the upcoming generation of future ballers. It’s important for the sport, and of course, I’m always sayin' how kids need to stay active to be healthy with my Truth on Health Campaign. So I thought my camp would be another great way to do that.

I remember when I was that age – staying late at practice at Inglewood High and getting as much court time as I could. You know, you don’t have to be the biggest and the best to do well in this game – it’s about heart. Some of the kids I met this week have faced a lot of obstacles, but they still showed so much dedication, which really caught my attention. I know I struggled a bit growing up, but it didn’t prevent me from getting where I’m at today, and I want kids to know that – it’s all about commitment and hard work.

The camp was full again this year and I was really happy to see that. I enjoyed meeting the kids and being part of their basketball experience, helping to shape their game and even take some on in one-on-one!

It was also fun to see the kids there who entered a contest though my website, truthonhealth.org, to win a spot at camp – and that was really cool. I got to meet Melissa M. from Everett and Nick S., who came all the way from Maine to be at my camp! They are really great kids who jumped through a lot of hoops (ha!) just to be there. I was really impressed by their dedication and love for the game.

One girl at camp told me the community ball program where she’s from was having trouble getting enough kids to show up to play a game. I thought that was a shame – it’s so important that we keep our sports programs in school and around our neighborhoods so kids can stay healthy and more importantly, have a little fun. Every child deserves that chance, and I’m just grateful I was able to give that to all the kids at Basketball City who came out last week.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Alright, it’s that time of the week again — you know, when we put on the sneakers and get our sweat on! We just posted my new fitness video — embedded in this blog — so I hope you’re ready to get movin’. It’s part of my Truth on Health Campaign to get kids healthier by exercising and eating right.

In this video, we’re doing exercises that pro basketball players do every day, both in practice and when it’s game time. Let’s start by breaking into a defensive stance. This is the position you get in to block your opponent from the hoop. You always gotta protect your home court! This move gives us a lower center of gravity and makes it harder to put us off balance. Squat down, stick your arms out, and hover there. Keep your back flat and your eyes up – you always need to be alert. See how long you can stay in that position, then rest and repeat. It’s a great workout for your thighs, and the lower you can get, the better. Next, let’s dribble in place. Pretend you’re picking up a basketball from the rack, then dribble in place. Stay low, like you just did in your defensive stance, and dribble between your legs.

Once you’ve got that down, try the speed dribble. Switch the imaginary ball to your other hand, start dribbling, and run in place. This is how I do it when I’m pushin' the ball up the court toward the basket so those other guys can’t catch me. This is a speed dribble, and it’s really important to keep your eyes up and stay on your toes – you gotta be sneaky.

Now let’s try passing the ball. Lunge forward and pass that ball with your arms stretched out in front of you. Put your dominant foot forward, tighten those abs, and shove that ball! Try a straight pass, a bounce pass, and right side pass. Mix it up like we do every day on the court – maybe even try a behind-the-back pass if you’re feeling good. To finish off, jump up in the air and do a 360 spin. This will test your balance and agility. It’s easy to get dizzy with all that back and forth on the court, so balance is key. And we all know getting some air is a must in b-ball, but jumping is also a great way to strengthen your legs and challenge yourself. Using basketball moves are just one way to get fit, but you don’t have to be a pro to work out like one.

Check out the full video on Comcast On Demand. Just select the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34, and then get outside and get movin! You can also check out my website, www.truthonhealth.org, for some more exercise tips. Remember to check back every week for my new video.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

Are you guys ready to get some exercise and work up a sweat? Check out my new fitness video, right next to this blog. It’s part of my Truth on Health Campaign, which gets kids moving and healthy – all while having fun!

In this video, we do a bunch of exercises you’ve probably done before, so they should be easy to get the hang of. They may be simple, but these are some great moves for a warm-up before any workout. Let’s start out with walking in place. Nothin’ to it, right? What you want to do is walk in place between every exercise … no stopping. Keep pumping your arms and lifting those knees high in the air to increase circulation. Gotta keep that heart rate up.

Next is skipping. Skipping isn’t just a fun activity for kids — pro athletes like me do it, too. You can do it in slow motion to really feel the movements, and make sure you push up from your toes all the way to the sky to really get that height! And don’t forget to walk in place when you finish.

By now hopefully you’ve got a good little sweat goin’ on. Let’s keep up the pace and try some jumping jacks next. I know I don’t even need to tell you how to do a jumping jack because you’ve probably been doing them since first grade, right? There’s a reason for that - they’re good exercise and a classic warm-up move, even for the pros!

Now that we’ve got our muscles prepped, let’s try some lunges. You want to go a little slower at first so you don’t hurt yourself. Make sure your feet are in line with your hips, and your knees are directly over your toes. This will help protect your knees. You should feel the burn on these – that means you’re working hard, and that’s just what we want.
After you finish all of these moves, do another set of all of them, and remember to keep up that walking in place between each exercise.

At the end, stretch it all out with my favorite -- the pretzel! I always encourage stretching before and after every workout. It’s important for preventing injuries. Cross your legs, put your arms out, cross your arms and hold your hands together, then bring your hands under and up so you look like a pretzel. Remember to breath deep while you stretch.

You can get physical activity anywhere, any time. And it’s not just about plain old exercise; you can do anything that makes it fun, whether it’s a game of four square or pick-up hoops. Check out this full video on Comcast On Demand. Just select the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34, and then get outside and get movin’! You can also check out my website, www.truthonhealth.org, for some more exercise tips. Remember to check back every week for my new video.

Check out Paul Pierce and his FitClub34 program on Celtics on Demand exclusively on Comcast! Watch the full video of Pierce in action by selecting the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34.

Hey guys – so I know it’s still a little chilly out there even though spring is supposed to be here. That’s why this week I kept it inside, but almost all the exercises from my fitness videos, which a real part of my Truth on Health Campaign, can be done inside or out, so rain or shine, you can be active. This week’s clip from my new video is right next to this blog. Today I’m focusing on agility. Agility is key in all sports, and even if you’re not playing a sport, it strengthens your core and helps you use more muscles in your body to get you good and strong. It also keeps you light on your toes.

To start, let’s do some marching and arm pumps, followed by carioca – no... I didn’t say karaoke! This is a great way to work on your coordination and get the blood flowing. You start with alternate stepping - one leg over the other, creating a sideways movement and making a figure eight shape with your steps. Make it more challenging by lookin’ straight ahead – no peeking at your toes. Carioca is also great for opening up hip flexers, a part of the body that can get real tight when you’re sitting down at school or in the office.

Next, we’re gonna keep strengthening our legs and hips with some reverse lunges. Stand facing forward and move one leg far behind you and bend your knee, so you’re in a lunge facing forward. To increase the blood flow, you should add some arm movement. Point those arms in front of you every time you step back into your lunge. Now go faster! Have to keep up that heart rate.

Now that your arms, legs, and hips are warmed up, keep challenging your coordination and core. Skipping is great for that. If space is tight, skip in place. Push off that back foot as hard as you can to get as much air as you can. Pump your arms to maximize the height. Skipping is actually great for basketball players like me for that exact reason – it helps us jump in the air when we’re goin’ in for the dunk. It also strengthens our legs big time.

Now we’re getting to the height of our workout, the home stretch. Take it to another level with some hops on one leg. Pick one leg to hop on first. Pick up your foot and don’t let it touch the ground until you’ve hopped ten times in the air, then switch to your other foot .Easier said than done, huh? Getting that burn yet? Add intervals of five to ten hops to challenge yourself if you can, right before the cool down.

After every workout, I always remind everyone to stretch. It’s important for your muscles to cool down.. If you’re out of breath, chances are your muscles are, too. You can stretch it out with some toe-touches. Stand up and point one leg out straight in front of you, heel resting on the ground. Try not to bend your knees. Now bend over and try to touch your toes. Go slow and make sure to do each side at least twice and hold for 30 seconds.

Like I keep saying, you don’t need fancy gym equipment to get some really good exercise. Check out the full video on Comcast On Demand. Just select the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34, and then get outside and get movin! You can also check out my website, www.truthonhealth.org, for some more exercise tips. Remember to check back every week for my new video.

Check out Paul Pierce and his FitClub34 program on Celtics on Demand exclusively on Comcast! Watch the full video of Pierce in action by selecting the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34.

Here's the press release for The Truth on Health's special online raffle:

Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce is offering hoops fans the chance to win the ultimate Celtics experience, by placing twelve tickets to his personal luxury suite up for grabs when the Celtics take on the New York Knicks in their last regular season game on April 13 at the TD Garden. The winner will be chosen through a special online raffle with proceeds benefitting Pierce’s Truth on Health Campaign.

Raffle tickets are $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets and can be purchased now at www.netraffle.org. The winner will be selected on Monday, April 11 at 11 a.m. EST. For more information, visit www.truthonhealth.org or www.paulpierce.net.

“I am thrilled to offer my fans a chance to sit in my suite while helping to raise funds to support my Truth on Health Campaign,” said Pierce. “It is critical for kids to understand that staying active and eating healthy are the keys to leading a happy and fulfilling life, and all of the funds we raise will help give kids the tools and information they need to make healthier lifestyle choices.”

The raffle package includes:

• Twelve (12) tickets to Pierce’s personal luxury suite for the Boston Celtics vs. NY Knicks game on April 13 at 8:00 p.m. EST at the TD Garden


• An NBA special edition Spalding basketball signed by Paul Pierce


• $500.00 for food and beverage in Paul’s suite


• Cash payment of $907.50 to mitigate winner’s tax liability

So who’s still standing in their NCAA pool? I can’t let you in on who’s ahead in our locker room, but I was doing pretty well up until my alma mater let me down. I was crushed when the Jayhawks lost to VCU last week. Not only did it kill my bracket, but I also just couldn’t believe it. I gotta give it to the Rams though, they’ve been playing amazing ball. They’ve got heart, and Coach Smart is…well…smart.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I was rootin’ for Kansas all the way, and I was pretty excited because the Jayhawks killed it against Illinois and Richmond. I thought it was smooth sailing to the Final Four -- but look what happened! It’s been a crazy tourney this year, but real exciting to watch.

I give KU props, though. They came a long way and outlasted a bunch of other top squads in the tournament like Louisville and Duke. Kansas is always in it and certainly had a good chance this year. I pick them every year to win it because that there’s my alma mater, and I gotta stay true to my roots. But this year they realistically had a great shot at winning it all. They’re quick and well-coached. I like the way they play. I had them up against North Carolina in my final. Gotta give some love to Roy Williams.

But man, another former coach also just about sunk my whole bracket this year. I mean, Rick Pitino really let me down when Louisville lost in the first round -- just about ruined that whole side of my bracket. I had the Cardinals going to the Elite 8! Come on now Coach P., after all those laps I ran for you? Least you could’ve done is get to the Sweet 16 -- but I can’t hate. L’Ville is a strong squad and they don’t call it March Madness for nothing.

Anyway, people ask me if I miss college around this time of year. It’s definitely a special experience being part of the tournament, especially when you go to a school that has the history and tradition Kansas does. I always enjoy this time of year; it’s one of the biggest tournaments in all the world. It was always a fun when I was at Kansas, everybody getting so excited, dressed in blue, watchin’ us on TV. It was unforgettable – and I think it prepared me a little for what the NBA is like.

But when I was at KU, things were different. Not many guys went straight to the pros so early. Most of us stayed for three or four years before going on to the big time. That’s a big difference from today. Now, I can’t blame the guys for goin’ to the league when they get the chance, but a couple years in college definitely gives you the added preparation you need and gives your body the time to grow so you can withstand the long NBA season.

March always makes me think about what it was like when I was a Jayhawk, all the great rivalries. I remember playin’ against Tyronn Lue a lot when he was at Nebraska. That was fun, and then we both ended up playin here in Boston - he even came to my Truth Strikes Again at Foxwoods back in December. We’ve stayed close, which is cool, but I’m definitely not rootin’ for his Huskers any time soon. College rivalries are classic. And what’s cool in college is the rivalries are all about the teams and uniforms vs. individual players. Of course there’s Duke-North Carolina, but I remember the KU -- K-State games. Those in-state tilts were always huge, and it was no different in Kansas. We did a lot of prep for those, and us vs. Missouri was another strong one. Hate to say it, but I never did win a game in Missouri in my time at Kansas. Still gets under my skin. Can you tell?

So even though my bracket didn’t pan out, I’m still proud of Kansas for making it as far as they did. Coach and the guys had a great season -- I know what they’re goin’ through, but you move on and put all your focus into next year. It’s tough because in tournaments like this, no matter how far you make it, only one team wins it all.

We all thought it was spring, right? And now Mother Nature's getting all crazy on us again. Luckily, almost all the exercises from my fitness videos, which are part of my Truth on Health Campaign, can be done inside or out, so there's no excuse not to stay active. Check out the latest clip from my new video embedded in this blog. We're startin' out by jogging in place. This is a great way to warm up, get the blood pumping. Don't forget to swing those arms to really get yourself moving.

Next, get into a defensive stance. All you have to do is crouch down a little, keep your arms out and your palms up. Get your feet moving, chopping up your steps. From here, you can move on to what I call “quick feet.” You stay in defensive stance, but your feet start movin' even faster. You're breathing harder now, aren't you? That means you're really working! These are some great moves that really help with your circulation and get your heart rate up.. Remember, it’s important to get a good warm-up before any activity.

Another one to try is side slides. You want to keep facing forward, but take two slides to the left, then two slides back to the right. In between sets of slides, you can do some quick feet to keep that heart rate up.

I also like doing squat jumps for a really good burn. Get in the squat position. Be sure to protect your knees by keeping them over your ankles. Then comes the fun part - jump as high as you can in the air and come down. Don't forget to lift your arms up as you jump. Do five of those and you're really feeling it, right? Good, keep it up!

After all those exercises, you need to end with a good stretch, because you just worked a lot of leg muscles. Open up your legs into a straddle, lean over to the right, and stretch. Do the same in the middle, and then over to the left. Feels good after workin those legs, doesn't it?

Like I keep saying, you don’t need fancy gym equipment to get some really good exercise. Check out the full video on Comcast On Demand. Just select the Get Local category from the On Demand menu, then choose NBA TV, Boston Celtics, and Paul Pierce's FitClub34, and then get outside and get movin! You can also check out my website, www.truthonhealth.org, for some more exercise tips. Remember to check back every week for my new video.

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce

As a guy from Cali, I get asked a lot about how I’ve been able to deal with the cold weather in New England over the years. And let’s not forget now, I’m a Jayhawk and was out in Kansas for 3 years, now that’s cold.

So actually, between there and Boston, I’ve really gotten used to it and don’t mind it. Of course most of my time is dedicated to playin' ball and the team, but when I do get to spend time with my family, there’s lots of fun things to do that I would never be able to do back in California – not where I grew up anyway.

This winter I had a few snowball fights and went sledding a bit with my daughter (I did all the pushing of course), and she loved it, laughin' and screamin' the whole time. That was fun. I also taught her how to roller skate, so next year we’ll be ready to get her out on ice skates.

Who knows, perhaps we’ll even get out there on the ice at the Garden. Maybe some of my guys on the B’s can hook it up for me … One thing’s for sure, my family does love winter sports. My daughter grew up here and loves the snow, especially the first snow of the year. (She certainly got enough of it this year, that’s for sure!) And though my day job prevents me from getting on skis or a snowboard, I’m definitely gonna try that down the road.

Always up for activities I can do with my family, particularly outdoor activities that are fun AND a good workout. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard me mention how staying active and in good shape has made a huge difference in my career, and now with my Truth on Health program, I’ve made it my mission to pass that on to kids. So, I know it’s harder when it’s cold outside, but there are definitely a bunch of outdoor winter activities that kids can do to keep that heart rate up, and if they’re like me or my daughter, they’ll have so much fun they won’t even know they’re exercising.

A lot of people in Boston say spring is their favorite season and I think I have to agree with that. Of course the playoffs may have something to do with that, but there are other reasons too …

With the weather turning nice, everything comes to life and everyone celebrates the season in their own way. I love to go to restaurants with family and friends – sit outside and be in the sun. It’s also the time for me to fire up the grill – one of my favorite things to do when it gets warm. My daughter loves to go to the swan boats every spring, and I’m definitely taking her there again this year. Boston has so many great parks and cool things for kids to do in the warm weather, so we always look forward to it.

Spring is also a great time to get outside of your house and exercise – especially after everyone was cooped up inside during this long winter we had. Enjoy the fresh air and keep your body healthy too. I’ve also said here on my blog and in general – moving around and staying active is one of the best ways to feel happy. Take advantage of the warmer weather and the sunshine to do fun things that keep you active and that way you don’t have to feel like you’re just workin' out, just having fun. Play hoops (obviously!), softball & t-ball, throw a Frisbee, ride your bike, get on some skates, whatever you like. Just get out!

And don’t forget, spring is a good time for sports here in Boston. Sox are startin' up and Patriot’s Day and the marathon are around the corner. And don’t forget our playoffs. I can’t wait to get into it, but of course – we’re taking it one day at a time, and that’s how we gotta do it to get all these new guys acclimated. We also gotta heal up and I’ll tell you this, I’m really looking forward to getting our guys back off the shelf. Think our team is real deep and we‘ll cause teams serious trouble if everyone’s healthy.

So, though I do like my vaca and family time, I sure wouldn’t mind spending my entire spring inside the gym as long as we’re advancing in the playoffs and we bring Banner 18 home to the Garden rafters!

Now … stop readin my blog, get outside and enjoy the first few days of spring!

Paul Pierce's Truth on Health campaign empowers and encourages young people to lead healthier lives by providing them with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. To learn more, visit www.truthonhealth.org

Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter @PaulPierce34 and @TruthonHealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paulpierce