This week I have "8 Questions Diet & Exercise" for Santa Claus. Santa has been spreading joy and happiness in North Idaho and around the world for a very long time. Santa has had a lifelong passion for good health, exercise and nutrition. Santa holds many records including the fastest time for the most chimney climbs in a 24-hour period and one of the fastest sleigh-to-roof transitions ever seen.

Q. Let's start with a basic question. What workout regimen do you use to prepare for what must be a physically demanding time of year?

A. Well that's a very good question. It is a physically demanding time with a vast amount of climbing, carrying heavy bags and running from place to place. In the off-season, the reindeer and I run a lot of backcountry trails at the North Pole. Of course, one of my elves is a Certified Personal Trainer so she helps me stay focused in the gym.

Q. Nutritionally it must be difficult to be given access to so many amazing cookies that the kids leave out for you. How do you manage your cookie intake?

A. Well, I approach it like you would for any endurance race. When you know you have a long demanding race you need to fuel up. Cookies are an amazing way to maximize the amount of glycogen stored in your muscles and Mrs. Claus reminds me all the time that poorly fueled muscles are associated with needless fatigue this time of year.

Q. Santa, I had heard you are an avid fan of Zumba? How do you find time to work that into your busy schedule?

A. Zumba is very stimulating and I am fond of the catchy Latin beats they use for music. Plus, Zumba is a very fast way to squeeze in a heart pumping cardio workout in less than 40 minutes. I must admit my belly sometimes moves left when the rest of me moves right, so it does become a bit awkward for me. Those Zumba instructors go pretty easy on me though, since they want to stay on my nice list... Those Zumba instructors need a lot of help in that department.

Q. So what is your favorite and most difficult exercise program?

A. A few years ago, my elves introduced me to Parkour. This is where you develop the physical skills to effectively jump, climb and roll through obstacles without aid of ropes or climbing gear. This is quite a workout, but very good for me since I must scale so many roofs, slide down chimneys, dodge wires and other hazards while delivering toys to all the good girls and boys.

Q. Now Santa, you're not a young man anymore... how do you avoid injury doing all this physical activity?

A. That's easy to answer, YOGA! Everyone knows that yoga keeps you flexible and limber. Plus, I have not met a yoga instructor that wasn't on my nice list. They are some of the nicest people!

Q. How important is nutrition for you in the off-season? And what is your favorite off-season dish for carb loading?

A. Well, Mrs. Claus puts a strict ban on cookies, but I don't miss them. I enjoy blueberries, raspberries and bananas as a cookie replacement. Since we are a big family, all the elves, reindeer, Mrs. Claus and I take our nutrition very seriously. We eat whole foods, lots of vegetables, etc... very healthy. My favorite dish is spaghetti made with low gluten einkorn pasta, which comes from ancient wheat, something I picked up from my reindeer since einkorn is a favorite food of theirs.

Q. Santa, have you ever considered doing an Ironman or Triathlon since you're such an endurance athlete?

A. Oh heavens no! We do not get any swimming in at the North Pole. I'm very sure between my lack of swim technique and my belly dragging in the water, I would never make the two-hour cut off, so my race would be over before I got very far.

Q. Santa, what is the one message you would tell all the girls and boys out there about diet and exercise?

A. I would tell everyone that no matter how old you are, and I am pretty old, nor how heavy you are, and I am pretty heavy, you can still eat healthy and get lots of exercise into your life. It is so important to eat whole healthy foods and exercise often whether you're a young child or a senior. And remember to smile and be kind to everyone you meet with a twinkle in your eye... HO HO HO! Merry Christmas!

Thank you Santa for your great answers!

Judd Jones is a director for the Hagadone Corp.