FitSugar

Celeb Mom Slim Down Secrets: Heidi Klum

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:15:00 PDT

Heidi Klum did not get the nickname the body for nothing. After several pregnancies, we have seen her weight fluctuate with the best of them, but she always looked amazing.

So AOL reported on how the body got her body back in catwalk shape:

When Heidi Klum, who reportedly gained 48 pounds while pregnant, hit the catwalk just seven weeks after delivering her son, Henry, she showed off a slender body that was the result of intense workouts with a trainer. Heidi also followed a plan similar to the 3-Hour Diet, in which she ate small meals every three hours.

Source

Are Money Clubs the New Book Clubs?

LearnVest — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:15:41 PDT

Money clubs are a great and fun way to stay on top of your finances. With friends supporting you, you can conquer the world and money issues! LearnVest shares how you can start one.

Thea, 31, a lawyer, lives in Brooklyn, NY. Although her friends are, in her own words, “bright, savvy, awesome women,” many felt lost financially - much like she did. “In fact, almost all of them knew someone else who was in the same financially adrift boat,” she says.

That’s when she got the idea to start a money group.

“The first meeting was held in my studio apartment in Brooklyn,” she told LearnVest. She served pizza and Diet Coke as the group of women took turns airing their money issues and goals.

The women’s issues ranged from needing to pay down credit card debt after an amazing wedding to wondering how to invest in a 403(b) retirement account that she’d left empty for years. “We left that meeting,” she says, “with the same sense of empowerment we often feel in other areas of our lives, but that was usually missing when it came to our financial life.”

Although the women are still working through their money issues and goals, it is, as Thea puts it, “easier to take a journey with a group of amazing friends.”

Are Money Clubs the New Book Clubs?

There’s a reason Thea’s personal experience was so meaningful. Just like book clubs or wine clubs - or book clubs that double as wine clubs - money clubs are groups in which you can learn interesting stuff, discuss it, and get support from like-minded friends. And maybe even add alcohol to put people at ease.

In fact, while they’re now becoming popular again, money clubs have actually been around for a long time. Many groups of women in cities across the US meet up informally, but Candace Bahr, founder of the Women’s Institute For Financial Education, or WIFE, formalized the money club concept, creating the organization’s trademarked version back in 2004.

Read on for more.

5 Exercises to Ditch Arm Flab Forever

Shape — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:07:15 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to celebrity trainer Jay Cardiello for some help!

Ah, that infamous area along the back of your arms, the nemesis of so many women. How do you tackle the jiggle? First, I want to tell you what not to do, as people are often tempted to take the wrong course of action. And that is the concept of spot reducing, or lowering fat stores in one specific area of the body. It is essentially impossible to accomplish and should not be a part of your fitness regimen. Fighting arm flab requires more than just spot treatment!

In order to tone the backs of your arms, which is where your tricep muscles are, you have to remember this: specific exercises to increase your lean muscle mass will get you results, but you must also decrease your fat intake without risking too much muscle loss. (Sound familiar? Have you managed to lose fat, but still carry some extra bulk around the tricep?) So, to lose the wiggle and jiggle, be sure to eat a healthy balanced diet with proper nutrients; get at least six to eight hours of sleep so that your body can repair, recover, and build muscle; and consistently maintain your exercise program. And be sure to incorporate these five flab-fighting exercises into your workout routine.

The Ultimate Abs and Arms Workout

See Jay's arm workout after the break!

5 Easy Ways to Get the Whole Family to Eat Healthier

LilSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:14:27 PDT

Vogue writer Dara-Lynn Weiss's controversial article about putting her 7-year-old on a strict diet is making waves. While the reaction to Weiss's extreme approach was mixed, most parents can agree that they would never ignore a doctor's recommendation to take action on their child's health and well-being.

Here are five easy kitchen and nutrition updates that every family can make, whether weight loss is a pressing issue or not.

Get More Greens: There's sure to be something that appeals to even the pickiest little taste buds with these five easy ways to make veggies more fun for kids.
Cook at Home More: We all know the feeling - in theory, we want to cook for our families, but in reality, there aren't enough hours in the day. Try to make a little extra effort this month, though. Your slow-cooker is a great place to start, as it allows busy moms to put together a meal in the morning and let the appliance work its magic while you're at the office or running carpool.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Ditch the sugary cereal or to-go granola bars and get the whole family's day off to the right start with a well-balanced, nutritionally-rich breakfast. All it takes is a little advance planning the night before to spice up your family's morning routine.
Don't Eliminate Dessert: But do give it a makeover. Jessica Seinfeld's mint chocolate chip ice cream is packed with pureed spinach and Greek yogurt, and 3-ingredient Smudgies are dairy and cholesterol free, contain no added sugar, and taste like an ice cream sandwich.
Make the Kitchen the Hottest Hangout in the House: Instead of keeping the kitchen off-limits to kids, invite them in to explore. Healthy cooking playdates are a great way to get your lil ones comfortable with trying new things, and adding a little adventure into what they're willing to eat. Keep cut-up fruit and veggies stored at kids' eye level so that they can help themselves to a healthy snack instead of the standby chips and cookies.

From the Community: Dr. Oz’s Top 10 Healthy Eating Musts

Fit Community — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:51:55 PDT

FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV posted these healthy eating tips from Dr. Oz in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

In honor of National Nutrition month, we asked Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and host of the Dr. Oz Show, to share with us his top 10 musts when it comes to eating for better health, weight loss, and overall wellness. We were surprised to learn a few of these!

1) Eat this #1 cancer-fighting, cleansing produce item

What ranks at the head of the class when it comes to the produce department? "Broccoli is the best produce option, because it cleanses the liver and helps to fight cancer," says Dr. Oz.

2) Stay in shape by eating these

Think you’ll stay slim by just sticking to salads and fat-free foods? Think again! "Nuts are the number-one food for staying in shape," says Dr. Oz.

3) Don’t just cut calories to drop lbs.

"Losing weight isn’t all about cutting calories. The brain looks for nutrients, not calories," says Dr. Oz. Yet another reason to focus on whole, unprocessed foods to help speed up weight loss!

See the rest of the tips after the break

Battle PMS With These Foods

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:06:30 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Are you plagued with period pain, fatigue, or other symptoms that turn you into a zombie for the week? Get relief by upgrading your diet. Here, experts share the foods that can boost energy, beat cramps, banish moodiness, and more.

Iron-Fortified Whole-Grain Cereal

Many women, especially those who consume very little meat or are vegetarians, don't get the iron they need. This saps their energy and makes it difficult for them to concentrate, says Karen Ansel, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesperson. "For women with heavy periods, iron is even more important because they lose larger amounts with each monthly flow. Iron-fortified whole-grain cereal is an easy way to get your daily dose." Ansel recommends looking for a box that provides at least 25 percent of the daily value for iron, then chase it down with a glass of orange juice - its vitamin C will help you absorb even more iron. At dinnertime, if you're craving iron-rich red meat, go ahead and have some, says Marissa Lippert, RD. Just stick to a lean cut (flank steak or tenderloin) and a 3- to 4-ounce portion.

More foods after the break!

Want to Stay Smart? 3 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy

Leta Shy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:52:10 PST

Our lifestyle habits don't just affect our waistlines and physical health; they also affect our intelligence. If you want to keep your smarts, make sure you do these three things.

Exercise regularly: Exercise has been proven to be good for your brain because it promotes brain cell growth. Not only that, studies have found that being obese prematurely ages your brain, which can lead to a higher risk of Alzheimer's - all the more reason to make exercise a habit as early as possible in your life.

Sleep right: Sleep rejuvenates your body as well as your mind, and when it comes down to it, quantity matters. We've probably all been there: the forgetfulness and dulled reasoning skills that we have to deal with after an abbreviated sleep time, and it's been proven - sleeping fewer than seven hours a night can result in a decline in brain function the next day. But make sure you don't overdo it; the same study found that sleeping for more than eight hours also lowers your brain's ability to function.

Eat superfoods: We eat right for our bodies, so why not our brains? From blueberries to chia seeds, there are many types of superfoods that do double duty by lowering your risk of diseases while also increasing your brain power. A new study confirms the power of omega-3 fatty acids for your brain - it found that people who ate a diet low in omega-3s had smaller brains and scored lower on cognitive and memory tests than those who ate a more omega 3-rich diet. Ready to add more brain-boosting foods into your diet? Here's a list of seven superfoods that increase your brain power.

5 Strange Ways Chocolate Keeps You Healthy

Prevention — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:02:26 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

This sweet treat may also boost brainpower, help you relax, and more!
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day by nibbling a few chocolates - and making them a regular treat throughout the year. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 percent reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it’s hard to deny the cold, hard facts that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.

Seven Surprising Ways to Sharpen Your Mind

Hundreds of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we’ve dug up five more surprising health benefits. Read on for five new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

1. Chocolate May Help You With Math
Flavonols, compounds in chocolate with antioxidantlike properties, are thought to improve circulation, including blood flow to the brain. A 2009 study asked participants to count backward in groups of three from a number between 800 and 999. After drinking hot cocoa filled with flavonols, the participants were able to do calculations more quickly and accurately and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.

Learn a four more things chocolate can do for you after the break.

3 Ways Snacks Can Help You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:09:19 PST

You might think snack time is just for preschoolers, but everyone can benefit from eating a few bites between meals. Aside from filling nutritional holes in your diet, snacking can also help you on your road to weight loss. If the numbers on the scale are on your mind, here are three ways snacking can help you lose weight.

Snacks Keep Blood Sugar Levels Steady
If you've ever gone too long between meals and have gotten a headache, the shakes, and a loss of concentration, then you've felt firsthand what it's like to have low blood sugar. Snacking between meals keeps blood sugar levels steady, which can help prevent you from grabbing the first (unhealthy) thing you can get your hands on and overindulging.

Fiber Fills You Up
Choosing snacks that are full of water and belly-filling fiber will help keep you full longer, so you actually eat less in the long run. Fruits, veggies, and whole-grain breads are great options, and if you need more ideas, here are 10 high-fiber snacks under 150 calories.

No More Overeating
You eat lunch around noon and dinner isn't until 6 p.m. or later. No wonder you hit the dinner table feeling so ravenous that you stuff yourself silly. Now if you enjoyed a pear with some almonds around 3 p.m., you'd avoid that famished feeling and have the patience to prepare a healthy, sensibly sized meal. It works the other way, too. If you're eating a meal and you know you'll be enjoying a snack in two hours or so, you won't feel the need to overeat at mealtime.

Feel-Full Quick Tricks

Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:49:40 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Health.com

It's not just what you eat that can make you more satisfied - it's how you eat, too. Try these tips to feel fuller longer.

H2O some more
Drink two eight-ounce glasses (16 ounces total) of water before each meal. It will fill up your stomach and trim up to 60 calories per meal.

Health.com: Which Foods Burn the Most Fat?

Flavor of the day
Use vinegar (or vinaigrette) and cinnamon for flavor whenever possible. These two ingredients can help regulate blood sugars after meals and help you feel full longer after eating, according to a study from the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, in Zurich, Switzerland.

Keep reading for quick feel-full tricks.