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7 Health Benefits of Having Sex

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:47:19 PST

There are only so many hours in the day for getting physical. Skipping the gym for a little romp isn't something you should do every day, but when you do choose getting sweaty in bed over the exercise bike, you're still burning calories. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, check out the health benefits of getting it on.

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10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

FitSugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:00:00 PST

I'm sure you can agree that after a romp in the sheets, you always feel happier and more relaxed. Aside from those emotional benefits, check out WebMD's list of 10 health benefits of sex.

Relieves Stress: The calming effect of sex has a positive impact on your blood pressure.
Boosts Immunity: Did you know that having sex once or twice a week has been shown to increase the levels of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA). This is responsible for helping you fight against infections such as colds.
Burns Calories: A half hour of sex burns 85 calories. That beats going to the gym, huh?
Improves Cardiovascular Health: For guys, having sex two or more times a week reduces their risk of a fatal heart attack.
Boosts Self-Esteem: Having sex makes people feel better about themselves. If a person already has a good self-esteem, having sex raises it even more.

Want to see the rest? Then

Smooch, Snuggle, and Squeeze: Health Benefits of Being Affectionate

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:39:08 PST

It's human nature to want to be close to the people we care about, but for the people we really love - well, it's hard to keep our hands off them! Valentine's Day is almost here, so keep reading to find out how all those extra hugs and kisses can benefit your health.

Obama Compromises on Contraception

Annie Scudder — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:20:55 PST

Despite the fact that 99 percent of women who have ever had sex - religious or not - have used contraception, the Obama administration's decision to make birth control free under all employer health insurance packages has caused a controversy. Today, the White House announced that it will make a change to its new policy to accommodate religious institutions, such as Catholic hospitals and universities, who do not want to cover prescriptions like the pill. Under the compromise, religious employers would not have to offer free birth control. Rather, insurance companies themselves would have to provide free contraception to workers at religiously sponsored institutions if the worker requests it.

The original policy, similar to laws that already exist in states like California and Oregon, would have required groups affiliated with religious institutions, like hospitals, charities, and universities, to provide insurance plans that cover birth control for free. Churches themselves would be exempt. But some religions, like the Catholic Church, oppose all forms of birth control, and leaders, especially the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, put pressure on the White House to change course, threatening to make this a major campaign issue.

So far, it looks like the compromise has pleased both sides. Planned Parenthood's President Cecile Richards said it "does not compromise a woman's ability to access this critical birth control benefits," and Sister Carol Keehan, the president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, says she is "pleased and grateful that the religious liberty and conscience protection needs of so many ministries that serve our country were appreciated."

Which Would You Rather Give Up For a Month - Sex or Exercise?

Michele Foley — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:59:58 PST

The annual Bicycling Readers' Choice survey is out, and after reading through it, one statistic stood out to me: 58 percent of female respondents would choose cycling over sex, if they had to give up one or the other for a month. Men were split down the middle, with 50 percent responding that they would choose cycling over sex.

I admit, I am pretty shocked at this statistic - Bicycling's readership are a passionate group of cyclists! It made me wonder, if forced to choose, how many fitness devotees would do the same if they had to pick between exercise or sex for a month. When you think about it, a good amount of the benefits from each activity are identical: stress relief, improved heart health, and better sleep, to name a few.

3 Sexy Valentine's Day Dates to Keep You Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:32:16 PST

Valentine's Day is always a good excuse to heat things up, and there's always a healthy, fun, and sexy way to celebrate the love-filled day, whether you're spending the holiday with friends or that special someone!

Girls Night Out: Pole Dancing Class
A pole dancing class is a frisky way for friends to celebrate Valentine's Day together. It's a little intimidating to swing around a pole while also letting out your sexier side, but when doing it with a group of your favorite girlfriends, it becomes easier. Besides being a great excuse to get together, this dance-inspired workout will help you tap into your sensual side while also helping tone muscles, firm the body, and increase flexibility. Once class is over, head out together for a glass of heart-healthy wine.

Group Date: Salsa Dancing
If a perfect date night for you involves getting together with other couples, charge things up by going salsa dancing. Besides being an easy way to burn calories, salsa is like flirting on the dance floor. From the rhythmic Latin beats to all that hip shaking, things are guaranteed to get hot. Don't be afraid to switch things up during the night. It's almost expected that you'll dance with different partners while out for a night of salsa dancing.

For You and Him: Couples Massage . . .
If you're going the traditional route and spending Valentine's Day with that special someone, indulge by getting a couple's massage. It will help you both relax, offer relief from stress, and ease muscle soreness that comes from exercise or the demands of the day. From there, cook a healthy dinner together and don't forget to get physical - and not at the gym! Valentine's Day is a good excuse to be intimate with your partner, especially given all the health benefits of having sex.

5 Health Reasons to Make Time For Cuddling

Shape — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:08:28 PST

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

Next time your guy gets on your case about cuddle time — he says he's too hot, needs his space, doesn't feel like relaxing — present the evidence. Research suggests that there's more to cuddling than meets the eye. Lovey-dovey'ness aside, the health benefits of cuddling will surely convince him to make time for it.

Reason 1: It Feels Good
Cuddling releases oxytocin, which is also known as the feel-good hormone. "It increases overall happiness," says psychologist, physical therapist, and author of bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness Elizabeth Lombardo.

"Cuddling, holding, and sexual play releases chemicals, like oxytocin, in the brain that create a sense of well-being and happiness," says Dr. Renee Horowitz, an ob-gyn who recently opened the Center for Sexual Wellness in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Cuddling can also release endorphins, which is the chemical released after a good workout or when you eat chocolate, Horowitz adds, which contributes to that great feeling.

Dr. Oz: 5 Tips for Lasting Love, Health, and Happiness

Reason 2: It Makes You Feel Sexy
The most obvious benefit to cuddling is getting close to your partner in the physical sense. Cuddling can lead to fun sexy time or relaxing and loving time post sexual intercourse, but there's also a chemical plus.

"There is also the release of dopamine, which is an excitatory hormone that increases sexual desire," Horowitz says. Plus, studies show that sex is healthy for fitness and mental reasons, too. So it's a win-win.

Keep reading for two more reason to snuggle up!

Common Yoga Myths Busted

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:08:16 PDT

Yoga offers numerous health benefits, but there are some rumors about this ancient practice that need a little debunking. While it's obvious that regular Down Dogs won't cause instant enlightenment or help you live to 150, we'd like to dispel some persistent yoga myths before you step on your mat.

Hot Yoga Helps You Lose Weight
Certain types of yoga like Bikram and ashtanga are practiced in a heated room, and you end up sweating buckets. Weigh yourself after one of these intense classes, and after sweating so much you probably lost a couple pounds. This is only water weight and will quickly be "gained" back as soon as you rehydrate. While any type of exercise will help with weight loss, yoga is better for building muscle rather than burning calories. If it's pounds you're trying to drop, complement your yoga practice with cardio sessions.

It'll Give You Better Orgasms
Yoga improves sex right? Not exactly. I'm sorry to say hitting a few classes won't instantly turn you into a sex goddess and make your time under the sheets more satisfying. What practicing yoga can do is increase your flexibility, which increases your ability to try new and adventurous positions in the bedroom.

Continue reading to hear more yoga myths.

Intensity Is Best For Burning Calories

Health — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:06:12 PDT

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

By Julie Upton, RD

New research suggests that intensity is best for torching calories during your workout - and for more than 14 hours post-exercise.

Like most of us, you probably work out to help you lose weight and firm up. Unfortunately, our wimpy exercise these days just isn't cutting it, says David C. Neiman, PhD, who is the director of Appalachian State University's Human Performance Lab, and one of the study's authors. "We need to be pushed again to get lean with exercise. A 45-minute vigorous workout can help you get three times the net calories burned compared to the same 45 minutes spent walking."

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

The study, published in the September 2011 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, used a metabolic chamber (considered the most accurate way of measuring energy expenditure) and included 10 male subjects. On the test day, subjects exercised vigorously in the morning for 45 minutes and then measured their metabolic rates for the next 24 hours. The subjects also completed a 24-hour period in the metabolic chamber with no exercise, so that the researchers could compare the differences in energy expenditure between the day in which subjects exercised versus when they were sedentary.

Health.com: The 7 Best Fat-Blasters

The researchers found that the men burned some 519 calories during the 45-minute exercise session and then burned another 190 calories in the next 14 hours. They calculated that the exercise session plus the post-exercise increases in metabolism burned a total of 750 calories. If you walked or did another low-intensity exercise for 45 minutes you would burn less than 300 calories and experience little - if any - post-exercise increases in metabolic rate.

Keep on reading for more information.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Low-Cal Margaritas For Cinco de Mayo

FitSugar — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:39:03 PDT

Low-calorie margaritas to get you in the Cinco de Mayo mood - Health
Goodbye, chitlins! How Aretha Franklin lost 85 pounds - That's Fit
The health benefits of sex (as if we need a reason!) - Mind Body Green
The Biggest Loser recap: makeover week and Tim Gunn! - Fit Bottomed Girl
A quick but total-body gym workout - Peanut Butter Fingers
Is Greek yogurt worth the hype? - That's Fit.ca
Daily Spark names its 10 healthiest celebs - Daily Spark
The best swimsuit for your body type - Fitness Magazine