FitSugar

Fit Tip: Set an Alarm to Remind You to Drink Water at Work

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:30:17 PDT

Temperatures in San Francisco are climbing to all-time highs this week, serving as a good reminder of the importance of drinking your recommended allowance of water every day. While staying hydrated is important every day, it's particularly important when the weather is hot, especially if you're planning to exercise.

I'm certainly guilty of not getting enough water; whether it's just general laziness or days that are packed so full I don't have a moment to spare, some days I'll leave the office having only drank a glass of two of water - big mistake. Since dehydration can lead to dizziness, a dry mouth, and all-around irritability, I'm only hurting myself by not getting enough to drink. So, over the past few days I've been trying a new system to get my eight glasses during they day: I set calendar reminders to alert me each hour, reminding me to drink a glass of water.

Find out how it works (and how I'm doing) after the break.

Watered Down: Benefits of Eight Glasses a Day?

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:00:00 PDT

I drink lots of water daily and the new report on the health benefits of water being oversold will probably not sway me to stop sipping it hourly. The study found that there really are no health benefits to drinking the often recommended eight glasses of water a day; there is no evidence to the lack of benefits either. Interestingly enough, the researchers could not pin point the origin of the recommendation to drinking 64 ounces of water a day. It seems to be a benign urban health myth.

Here is a short list of things drinking eight glasses of water will not do for you:

It does not help remove toxins from the kidneys.
It doesn't help improve skin tone.
It doesn't ward of headaches.
It will no improve organ function.
Lastly, water doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss. Since water contains no calories, it is more of a weight loss strategy for keeping your mouth busy than for filling you up. Sometimes the body mistakes hunger and thirst cues, so drinking adequate water can help stave off this bodily confusion.

The take home message – drink when you are thirsty. Everyone's need for water differs. If you exercise and sweat you will need to replenish your lost fluids and if you live in a dry, hot climate you will need more water as well. Listen to your body!

Source

The 5 Worst Habits That Damage Your Immune System

Prevention — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:19:31 PST

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

Kick these surprising habits to keep colds, flu and other bugs at bay.
By The Editors of Prevention.com

Staying healthy isn't just about using hand sanitizer and avoiding coughing co-workers. It turns out some pretty surprising daily habits - like how you fight with your husband or whether you stay up late for Letterman - can impact how well your body fends off colds, flu and other pesky bugs. Here's a list of science-backed tips to add to your stay-healthy arsenal today.

1. You Avoid the Water Cooler
Friendship may be Miracle-Gro for your immune system. Research shows that the fewer human connections we have at home, at work, and in the community, the likelier we are to get sick, flood our brains with anxiety-causing chemicals, and live shorter lives than our more sociable peers. In one study, researchers who monitored 276 people between the ages of 18 and 55 found that those who had six or more connections were four times better at fighting off the viruses that cause colds than those with fewer friends.

What to do: Don't let a jam-packed workday or hectic schedule get in the way of your friendships. Stop by a co-worker's office for a quick Monday morning catch-up, or e-mail/text your friends at night to stay in touch when you're too busy for phone calls.

7 Ways to Work Out at The Office

2. You Often Feel Tired
Scrimping on sleep has a powerfully detrimental effect on immunity. The perfect example: college students who get sick after pulling all-nighters cramming for exams. Poor sleep is associated with lower immune system function and reduced numbers of killer cells that fight germs. In fact, University of Chicago researchers found that men who had slept only four hours a night for one week produced half the amount of flu-fighting antibodies in their blood (jump-started by a flu shot) compared with those who slept 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

Keep reading to learn how to keep your immune system strong after the break.

Nutrition Myths That Can Cause Weight Gain

Shape — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:04:23 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Myth: Going Vegan Will Make You Lose Weight
"While various research shows that vegetarians and vegans, on average, consume fewer calories and less fat than omnivores (a 2009 Oxford study found that vegetarians weigh 3 to 20 percent less than their meat-eating counterparts, and a National Cancer Institute study found that subjects who consumed four ounces or more of red meat weekly were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause than those who ate less), these numbers may be misleading," says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a certified nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition for You.

Going vegan solely for weight loss can backfire, big time. If you aren’t vigilant with a vegan diet, it’s easy to lack in vital nutrients, vitamins, and proteins, which give you energy and help keep your metabolism stoked. Many first-time vegans may also find themselves reaching for more processed foods like vegan cookies, chips, or even ‘ice cream’ more often with such a restricted diet, and many end up packing on the pounds instead.

If you do decide to adopt a vegan diet, be sure to keep the ‘treats’ to a minimum and plan balanced meals (we love ‘Domestic Vegan’ Diva Jessica Olson’s tips for "going veg"). "Aim to get about 10 to 20 percent of your calories from protein (or about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight), replacing animal protein with healthy plant proteins, like those found in beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products," Batayneh says. "And, whether you are vegan or not, eating more green, leafy vegetables is great for your health and your waistline."

See which other diet habits may also being causing weight gain after the break!

6 Surprising Health Mistakes Even Smart Women Make

Prevention — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:05:18 PST

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

When was the last time you got 8 hours of sleep or lifted weights at the gym? You're not alone if you can't remember: Even some of the most savvy women didn't get the memo about these health-wrecking habits. Find out if you're among them.
From the Editors of Prevention

You're supposed to watch saturated fat and eat lots of vegetables — that's why you usually pick up a salad for lunch and dinner (even when the kids get burgers). But you're not obsessed with the scale like some women you know. You brush your teeth twice a day, and you last flossed, oh, maybe two weeks ago. You exercise but avoid lifting so you don't bulk up. The tummy pains you got last week? Must have been gas — nothing serious. And hey, you'd like to get 8 hours of sleep, but the days are short, and it's hard to get everything done. Sound familiar? These so-called "good" habits may actually be derailing your health. Here, experts share the surprising things you're doing wrong — and how to recover.

1. You Always Order a Salad
Don't assume that bowl of lettuce is always the healthiest menu pick.

Truth is, a lot of take-out and restaurant salads are basically a burger in a bowl, says Brie Turner-McGrievy, RD, clinical research coordinator for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington, DC. That's because add-ons like fried chicken, croutons, and full-fat dressing pack major calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy nutrients. One example: McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken and Newman's Own Ranch Dressing has 540 calories and 35 grams of fat; a Big Mac has 540 calories and 29 grams.

The fix: Don't scratch take-out salad off your menu; just use a few common sense rules before you order. Avoid high-fat add-ons such as sour cream, extra cheese, croutons, bacon bits, and creamy dressings like Caesar and ranch. Opt for salads that aren't just a fiber-free mound of iceberg lettuce dotted with a few carrot and red cabbage shavings. And plan ahead: Most fast-food chains supply nutritional info online so you can scout out the best options before you leave.

Avoid These Surprisingly Unhealthy Salads

2. You Rock Out While You Work Out
Do your ears ring after a long iPod-powered workout?

Check the volume on your iPod or MP3 player, advises Andrew Cheng, MD, an otolaryngologist at New York Medical College. The normal range of an MP3 player is 60 to 120 decibels; persistent exposures above 85 may cause hearing loss. If you're concerned, ask a friend to stand next to you while you listen: If she can hear your music, it's too loud.

Learn the fix and four more other common mistakes, when you read more.

Which Foods Burn the Most Fat?

Health — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:15:15 PDT

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

By Julia Savacool

You may have tried a diet or two in hopes of dropping pounds. But a new Harvard study has uncovered a no-diet way to shed: adding certain foods to your day while nixing others can slim you.

Researchers analyzed eating habits and gains and losses over several years. Based on their findings, we mapped out a sample day that'll lead to weight loss.

Health.com: 7 Foods That Fight Fat

Keep up this eating style, and you'll ditch up to 5 pounds in a year.

7:00 a.m.

Skip it
Rise 'n' shine. Forgo your usual O.J. and scone.
You'll lose: .28 pounds a year. The combo of juice and a giant scone each day would pack it on.

7:05 a.m.

Eat it
At the cafe bag up a yogurt parfait for breakfast.
You'll lose: .41 pounds a year. Every additional daily serving of whole grains can peel off .09 pounds over a year. A serving of fruit helps you shed another .12 pounds; a daily dose of yogurt leads to a .2-pound loss.

Health.com: The 50 Fattiest Foods in the States

10:30 a.m.

Eat it
Hungry again? Nibble on a bowl of blueberries.
You'll lose: .24 pounds a year. Two extra servings of fruit daily means another .24 pounds lost this year.

11:00 a.m.

Skip it
Step away from the supersize soda. Swap for a diet one.
You'll lose: 1 pound a year. For every regular serving of sugary drink you down daily, you could gain .25 pounds.

Learn what to eat and what to skip for rest of your day, when you read more.

The 5 Germiest Spots For Travelers

Heather Dale — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:53:36 PDT

Jet-setters, backpackers, hotel aficionados beware - your carefree travel from point A to point B may not be so innocent after all. There are germs lurking on the check-in counter at the airport, on the subway seat during your morning commute, and on the ice bucket in your hotel room. If you've watched the movie Contagion, you'll most likely already be on high germ alert. Here are are five bacteria-thriving spots travelers should take extra precaution to protect themselves against.

Airports: As soon as you arrive at the airport, you'll come in contact with the check-in counter and ticket kiosk - both of which are covered in bacteria and possibly even mold. Just think of the thousands (possibly millions) of people who have touched these areas before you. Try wiping the kiosk ticket monitor with an antibacterial hand wipe to make sure it's clean before using, or wash your hands afterward as soon as possible.

And to avoid athlete's foot or other fungal infections when walking through the security checkpoint, wear socks (or bring some if you're wearing sandals) - just don't go barefoot! Staphylococcus aureus has been discovered in these checkpoints.

Keep reading to see what other locations made the list.

Taste-Off! Vegetable Juices

Susannah Chen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:04:07 PDT

Next time you've got a hankering for vegetable juice, I've got a challenge for you: Head to the nearest grocery store and buy two brands - V8 Original and Mott's Garden Blend - and see for yourself who produces nature's better nectar. We did the same recently in the office, after hearing that Mott's had just released a brand-new bottling of 100 percent vegetable juice. Which came out on top? Find out when you keep reading.

From the Community: The 5 Best Post-Yoga Snacks

Fit Community — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:11:48 PDT

Do you find yourself hungry after yoga class? FitSugar reader YogaGirlAli shared her favorite post-yoga class snacks in our Snack Attack: Healthy Snack Ideas community group.

I've been known to be lying in Savasana, while the teacher is telling everyone to close their eyes and forget all of their thoughts, and all I can do is pray that no one will hear my stomach grumbling. I mean, we practically just sweat ourselves dry and I lost track after the 13th Chatturunga; I want to get up and get some nutrients pumping through my veins!

The good news is, I normally crave something healthy - my body feels clean and detoxified and now I just need a nice quick snack from my yoga bag to leave the studio feeling nourished and go on with the remainder of my day. In addition I find that a quick snack leaves me feeling satisfied enough so that Im not starving by lunchtime and can still make healthy decisions and right food choices.

See the snack ideas after the break!

Beware of the Ballpark Beer Scam

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:02:15 PDT

Last Thursday, stadiums across the country opened their doors and baseball season started. With it comes the arrival of America's favorite pastime, game-day eats, and the ballpark beer scam.

What is the beer scam? It's the stadium's way to make a quick buck on beer-guzzling fans. Many places offer three sizes of draft beer: small ($6), regular ($8), and large ($10). However, the ounces are not listed, and the average concession stand worker doesn't know how much beer they hold.

After watching a video that clearly shows the small and regular sizes are almost identical - with the only difference being the shape of the glass - I decided to investigate and figure out what exactly is the distinction between these beer sizes. To find out, read more.