FitSugar

Angelina's secret weight loss tea?

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 02:35:00 -0800

It was reported that Angelina used African Ginger Root, Garlic Tea and Yoga to lose some extra pounds after giving birth.

To find out if Ginger Root, Garlic and Yoga are the answer to all your weight loss dreams, read more

The evidence is not convincing that Ginger and Garlic would have any weight loss benefits aside from the fact that Ginger is mildly known to promote appetite loss.

So while Yoga certainly is a great way to get back into shape post baby, Ginger and Garlic when used for a method of weight loss, probably are not (and probably weren't used by Angelina for that reason). Don't shy away from them though, Ginger and Garlic are great for you.

Here is why:

Ginger: Known for helping settle indigestion and upset stomachs. Which is why you drink 'ginger ale' when feeling icky. Ginger is also great for motion sickness and is being studied for possible effectiveness against cholesterol.

Garlic: In any form, even tea, can fight a common cold and cough and could also be effective in the fight against cholesterol.

Seems that maybe Angelina was just feeling a little under the weather and couldn't get her hands on a can of ginger ale during her stay in Namibia.

Fit's take on it all in this case of weight loss--Stick to yoga.

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Gymtastic

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:15:00 -0800

There was a time when Gold's Gym was king and super-sized gyms dedicated to lifting weights and bodybuilding ruled the fitness world. But times have changed, and boutique gyms are now the latest and greatest.

The trend now is to get a more personal touch out of a gym membership. This new-found individuality includes some definite perks such as:

Knowing it's clean and professional
Not always having to wait in lines for equipment to open up
Feeling comfortable when using free weights (this means if you're a woman, not having to push through so much testosterone to get to your 8 pound dumbbells)
Lots of different class choices
Having additional features such as a spa, clothing boutique, juice bar and maybe even hair salon under the same roof

There is more to know--plus I'll tell you how to work out for FREE--so, read more

Most gyms offer a short period of time (usually a week) for anyone interested in joining to test out the facilities for free. Maybe a boutique gym is for you and maybe it's not, but before joining any gym, take advantage of the free passes. Each gym is totally unique in its feel so this is a great idea if you are looking into joining. Also, some gyms offer different specials per month so always ask what the specials are. Sometimes they have huge initiation fees that are waived certain months.

Fit's Tip: During your free pass, workout at least once during a peak time (lunch and after work) to really see what it's like.

Check out David Barton Gym

Test Your Knowledge of Fad Diets

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

It seems like every day a new diet makes the news. Some of these fads can sound promising because they're veiled in medical and health jargon or carry the backing of a celebrity or doctor. But reading between the lines reveals that regardless of the details, these diets are generally not healthy because they lack balance and are very restrictive.

Many of them are just plain kooky too - it's as if they're trying to outweird one another. How well do you know your trendy diets? Take my quiz and find out.

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5 Risks Associated with Fad Dieting

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I know in a time crunch, fad diets can seem like an easy way to drop a few extra pounds. The thing is, fad diets are not always safe, so here are five risks associated with fad dieting:

Nutritional deficiencies caused by a lack of a balanced diet.
Lack of physical activity from emphasis on diet only can increase the risk of heart disease.
Lack of variety in foods can cause boredom and frustration, and make it difficult to maintain the diet for more than a brief period.
Severe restrictions on the foods you can eat may make it difficult to establish and maintain a healthy diet in the future.
Many quick weight-loss diets are based on unfounded claims that may do more harm than good.

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Match the Celeb to the Fad Diet

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:30:00 -0700

In the celebrity world sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures - red carpet, weddings, black tie events. While I am not a fan of fad diets I am am a fan of these ladies. According to eDiets each of these celebs has followed a trendy diet. Think you know who did what? Then match the celeb with "her" fad diet.

Source and Source

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Fad Diet Predictions

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 08:27:16 -0800

A writer with the Associated Press thinks our fair country is due for a new fad diet since carbs were demonized oh so long ago. Will it be a revival of the grapefruit diet returning from the 80s along with leg warmers and pegged jeans? I'm thinking something involving green tea and miso soup sounds more 2007. What do you think?

Well the Calorie Control Council has made some very optimistic predictions for dieting trends for the year 2007. They are:

1) Restaurants will serve more low-calorie and reduced-fat foods.

2) Consumers will create personalized eating plans, instead of eliminating entire food groups (read carbs).

3) Exercise will become part of the “everyday.”

4) Functional light foods will gain popularity.(I'm still trying to figure this one out - I think apples, bananas and oranges are functional since they travel well in a purse, diaper or gym bag.)

5) Healthy living will become a family matter as childhood obesity becomes more of a publicized issue.

None of these predictions scream FAD to me. They seem a bit more like sound advice we should all consider turning into personal trends this year.

Visit the Calorie Control website for more information on dieting and health.

Fittingly Mad: Fad Diets

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:34:17 -0800

I understand that time is ticking and we are always looking for results that are quick and rapid. I understand where that comes from, but where does it stop?

The thing about it all that frustrates me the most is that when it comes to your body, quick and rapid are not terms that we should be looking for -- Especially when it comes to weight loss and exercise. Fad diets, much like cosmetic surgery, diet pills and steroids all promise fast results and America is definitely buying (literally and figuratively) into it.

A look at the top ten searches containing the term "diet" for the first week of 2007 were South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, Diet Pills, Diet, Diet Plans, Cabbage Soup Diet, Free Diet Plans, You on a Diet, Special K Diet and Lemonade Diet. Proving that America is (and has been) obsessed with the magic bullet. The thing is, there is no magic bullet when it comes to your health. Yeah you can do the Cabbage Soup Diet and you'll probably even lose a few pounds, but it's just not healthy. I am not shocked that "healthy diet" did not show up anywhere on the list, but it is a pretty sad realization.

Eat right and exercise. Seriously, it works. Don't starve yourself. Don't eat only one food for two weeks. These things don't work and honestly, they just make the whole game of losing weight an endless and miserable battle.

I don't know maybe you love Special K that much, but for those of us that don't -- Change your lifestyle. Figure out a way that you can incorporate eating healthy and getting more active into your life because once you do, you'll be a lot more successful and healthy.

Have You Ever Been On a Liquid Diet?

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

There always seems to be speculation about how a certain celebrity has shed pounds, and the most recent target of the weight-loss rumorville is Lindsay Lohan. The starlet is no stranger to media commentary regarding her body, and the most recent accusation is that LL is on a mostly liquid diet that includes drinking three Red Bulls a day.

There are plenty of reasons for refraining from liquid diets, principally the fact that they can be dangerous due to their tendency to leave a dieter undernourished. I sort liquid diets in with other fad diets that aren't sustainable for long-term weight loss, but many of us are guilty of trying some pretty ridiculous and unhealthy diets in the name of slimming down. Does a liquid diet make your list of abandoned weight loss techniques?

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Can Grapefruit Help Me Lose Weight?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 03:11:22 -0800

The 80's were chock full of fun fads like Duran Duran, leg warmers, and the very popular "Grapefruit Diet."

The diet consisted of no more than 800 calories a day (no wonder people lost weight). You ate grapefruit in the morning, grapefruit in your salad, and even used grapefruit juice in your cocktails (goes great with vodka). This citrus fruit was consumed with as much black coffee as you liked, some daily protein (hard-boiled eggs), and an occasional piece of dry toast. Delish.

Grapefruit was considered a "fat-burning food" that could kick-start your metabolism, but the diet soon became another crazy weight loss fad that faded away like acid washed jeans.

In 2004, one Dr. Fujioka conducted a study on the grapefruit and discovered that people who included grapefruit in their diet actually lost weight. It seems that grapefruit helps reduce insulin levels, which affects blood sugar regulation. Also, grapefruit is high in fiber.

The juice of grapefruit supposedly enhances the fat burning process - but so does exercise, which by the way - is also part of the grapefruit diet.

Fit's Tips: Hmmm, seems to me this diet should have been put to rest with the big hair of the 80's. Adding grapefruit to your diet won't perform miracles. The best way to lose weight - cut back on the number of calories you eat and increase your physical activity.

Check it out - Weird Al Yankovic made a parody of "Zoot Suit Riot," called "Grapefruit Diet." It's hilarious. Want to see the lyrics, then read more

Grapefruit Diet (to the tune of "Zoot Suit Riot" by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies)

Who’s that waddlin’ down the street
It’s just me ’cause I love to eat
Fudge and twinkies and deviled ham
Who’s real flabby? yes, I am!
Every picture of me’s
Gotta be an aerial view
Now my doctor tells me
There’s just one thing left to do

Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Throw out the pizza and beer
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Oh, get those jelly donuts out of here
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Might seem a little sever
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
I’m gettin’ tired of my big fat rear
Blow, fatty!

Well, I used to live on chocolate sauce
Made sumo wrestlers look like kate moss
Walked down an alley and I got stuck
I got more rolls than a pastry truck
When I’m all done eating
I eat a little more
When I leave a room
First I gotta grease the door

Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Can’t have another eclair
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
I gotta decrease my derriere

I’m on a grapefruit diet
I’m on a grapefruit diet
I’m on a grapefruit diet

No more pie now
No more creme brulee
Lay off the gravy
And souffle
No french fri-yi-yies now
No ice cream parfait
Mr. cheese nacho
Stay away

Oh I think I’d sell my soul
For a triple patty melt
But I need a boomerang
When I put on my belt

Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Lay off the 3 musketeers
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Until my big booty disappears
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
Eat ’em till they’re comin’ out of my ears
Grapefruit diet (diet!)
’cause I haven’t seen my feet in years

I’m on a grapefruit diet
I’m on a grapefruit diet
I’m on a grapefruit diet

I think I’m about ready for a quarter pounder with extra cheese
I need a side order of onion rings
And don’t forget to super-size that

Can You Debunk Diet Myths?

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Losing weight is hard, but finding misinformation about dieting is frighteningly easy. Although I spend a lot of time debunking diet myths on FitSugar, I also never cease to get questions from readers wondering about the latest facts and fads. Can your separate truth from fiction? Take my true or false quiz to find out.

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