FitSugar

5 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:50:35 -0800

We don't always feel 100 percent all the time, and it's normal to feel a little nauseous, tired, or sniffly every once in a while. These are minor symptoms though, and usually go away on their own. But there are a few red flag signals our bodies flash to warn us of serious medical conditions, and they're symptoms you shouldn't pass off as nothing. WebMD spoke to the authors of Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals, and here are some symptoms that require a doctor's visit or emergency care.

Difficulty breathing. Tightness in the chest, wheezing, shallow breathing, or constantly coughing are all symptoms of asthma. If a person has these symptoms or full-on asthma attacks, and they're left untreated, the muscles used for breathing can get tired. That means the amount of oxygen getting into the lungs will decrease, while the levels of carbon dioxide increase. This has a drowsing effect on the brain, and the person may stop breathing, which could result in death.
Blood in your urine. When you go to the bathroom, you shouldn't see blood, and if you do, it could be a sign of kidney stones, bladder infections, or cancer of the kidney, urethra, or bladder. Even if you don't feel pain, call your doctor.

To see the other red flags keep reading

Nothing to Sneeze At

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:30:20 -0700

Runny noses abound these days, and sneezes often accompany these dripping sniffers. Here are five things I felt compelled to share with you about the simple act of the sneeze.

A sneeze is your body forcefully expelling irritants and bacteria. Don't suppress your sneezes; let your body do its thing.
Sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you find yourself without a tissue. Remember this catchy phrase: "Sneeze into your sleeve."
A conservative estimate on the speed of a sneeze is 100 miles per hour.
A sneeze can send water droplets up to three feet.
Your heart does not stop when you sneeze, but the change of pressure in your chest can alter the rhythm of your heartbeat, making it feel like it's skipped a beat.
About one in four people experience a photic sneezing reflex, meaning bright light induces a sneeze. The sensation is also known as sun sneezing.

5 Foods That Fight Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:30:08 -0700

It's pretty easy to name a list of fatty foods - french fries, donuts, and cakes are a few that come to my mind. But what about fat-fighting foods?

Besides being good for you already, there's a growing list of foods that actually help burn fat. Check out our list of what to stock up on if you want to slim down.

Source: Flickr User thebittenword.com

View Slideshow ›

5 Things: Apples

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:50:00 -0700

The old adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" seems to be true. This common fruit is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition. Here are five facts to ensure this fruit becomes the apple of your eye.

Apples are in season now and they are a relatively inexpensive fruit. Plus they don't lose much of the nutritional punch if they are stored for long periods of time, making them a perfect autumnal fruit. They travel well, too - throw one into your bag in the morning for a snack later in the day.
A medium apple contains three grams of fiber, which is 10 percent of your daily recommended intake. Eating 30 grams of fiber per day has been shown to decrease your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. This means they'll help decrease your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) as well as help keep you regular.

For two more things about this Fall fruit and a couple of tasty recipes featuring apples, keep on reading.

5 Reasons to Try Kettlebells

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:00:54 -0700

I can't stress enough how important it is to mix up the equipment you use when strength training. Dumbbells, weight machines, and resistance bands are common fitness tools you'll find at the gym, but you may have also seen kettlebells. Though they look like some medieval torture device you want to avoid, they're actually a really effective way to tone and strengthen your muscles. Here are five reasons you should give them a try.

This type of equipment comes in a variety of weights, so you can use different amounts depending on the exercise you're doing. They're also small, so they don't take up a lot of space.
Kettlebells are fairly inexpensive. A 10-pound kettlebell costs $26.50.

To hear why else you should use kettlebells, read more.

They're used primarily for swinging movements, so they end up combining strength training and cardio in one workout. Since they tone your muscles and burn calories, some think kettlebells give you more bang for your buck.
Kettlebell exercises utilize a greater range of motion, so they also increase overall flexibility and tone your core. Lifting static weight such as dumbbells tends to cause tight muscles, but using kettlebells will strengthen your muscles while keeping them supple.
Strength training with a kettlbell mimics the same lifting you'd do in real life, so it can prevent injury while doing daily activities like holding your baby, picking up groceries, or carrying a basket of laundry.

Tell me how you feel about kettlebells in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Kick-Start a Healthy Day

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:50:07 -0700

Start your day off on the right foot by making the most of your morning. Here are five healthy habits you can easily fit in between the alarm clock ringing and walking into the office. These simple actions can help set you up for a great day.

View Slideshow ›

Increase the Challenge: Crunches on Exercise Ball

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:50:32 -0700

If the basic crunches on the fitness ball in my all abs workout are starting to feel less than challenging, don't ditch the exercise altogether - alter the move to make it harder. Here are some simple tweaks to tax your abs more while doing crunches on an exercise ball.

Bring your legs together. The closer together your legs are, the harder it is to keep balance on the ball, forcing your abs to work harder.
Slow it down. Curl up and lower on a slow count of three. This takes momentum out of the picture, so the work is all in your belly.

Learn three more variations.

5 Things to Pack in Your Beach Cooler

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

The long, relaxing days on the beach spent with friends and family make Summer memories that take us through the colder months. Make those beach days last by packing a cooler full of healthy items; you'll be able to refuse a second trip to the ice cream truck, and you won't have to head home early from a grumbling tummy. Healthy beach preparation will be a cinch when you remember to have these five things on hand. And don't forget the sunscreen!

Water: Bring a reusable water bottle or two full of cold water to prevent dehydration and headaches. Need some variety? Fill one of the bottles with refreshing unsweetened iced tea.
Fruit: Toss a fruit salad in Tupperware, bring along some in-season cherries, or pack a bunch of easy-to-eat grapes.
Veggies and hummus: Spoon hummus into a small container and cut up veggies, like peppers and carrots, for dipping. Cherry tomatoes are also delicious, especially in Summer.
Sandwiches: Use whole wheat pita instead of bread to reduce the soggy factor, and stuff it with mayo-free fillings like veggies and sliced deli meat. Remember, you don't want to put warm food directly in the cooler. If you want a grilled chicken sandwich, prepare the chicken the night before, let it cool, and refrigerate so it's good to go in the morning.
String cheese: Include a couple sticks of reduced-fat string cheese for a satisfying, slightly salty snack.

What's in your cooler?

Source

5 Ways to Prevent a UTI

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Women are more prone to bladder infections than men, and one in five will get one in her lifetime. Bladder infections, also known as urinary tract infections (UTI), account for 10 million doctor visits every year, most of which could be avoided if you knew how to prevent this problem. When bacteria makes its way into the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body, you can end up with a UTI and symptoms that include cloudy or bloody urine, a frequent or urgent need to use the bathroom, pain or burning during urination, and pressure in the lower pelvis. Obviously, this is something you would like to avoid, so here are five ways to prevent a UTI:

Drink cranberry juice. It interferes with the bacteria E. coli that is responsible for the most serious types of UTIs. The berry and its juice contain tannins, which fight the infections on the front lines by creating barriers that prevent E. coli from getting close to the urinary tract lining.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make you more susceptible to getting a bladder infection, especially if you're prone to them. It's important to drink plenty of fluids to help flush any bacteria or germs out of the urethra.

To see what else you can do, read more.

Wipe correctly, from front to back. You want to prevent the spread of intestinal bacteria from the rectum to the urinary tract.
Urinate immediately after sex to flush out bacteria.
Avoid douching and scented feminine products such as pads, deodorant sprays, and powders. They can irritate the urethra.

Source

Fitness 101: 5 Things Every Workout Should Include

FitSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Here are five simple things to include in your workout, to make it both safe and effective:

Warm-up: Among other things a warm-up leads to efficient calorie burning, injury prevention, and prepares the body for the workout. This is true for both cardio workouts and strength training session.
Cardio: A cardio workout is great for the cardiovascular system and plays a very important role in weight management. If you're sticking to weights a little cardio is great for a warm-up and for a cool down to lower your blood pressure.
Strength training: This creates strength and good posture, reduces the risk of lower back injury, and builds muscle.
Cool-down: Among other things a cool-down prevents blood pooling, reduces the chances of dizziness or fainting, and slowly brings the heart rate back down. Think of it as a transition from your exercise life into the real world.
Flexibility Training: This maintains joint range of motion and reduces the risk of injury. Remember to stretch when your body is already warm.

Source