FitSugar

Heidi Klum's Got a Good Take on Her Post-Baby Bod

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:38 -0800

Thanks to a healthy attitude - and a little encouragement from hubby Seal - Heidi Klum is working to get her body back in shape after baby number four. Still, if you're expecting the supermodel to take a turn in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, you might be surprised to learn that she won't be walking the runway this year, but playing hostess duty instead.

In an interview with US Weekly, it seems this mom is a little more realistic when it comes to shaping up her body after giving birth. Heidi told the magazine:

"I wouldn't say I'm back in the shape yet. But I don't know. Everything changes when you get older. It was different when I was 31 with the first one. Now, being 36 with the fourth one, it's different."

It seems to me the mom is setting a realistic expectation for getting back in shape and going about it the right way. She knows that it takes some work to get the bod you want, saying that, "For me, it always works to get back into it immediately. I think that if you wait too long, it kind of sticks on and it stays there forever. I have to be motivated." Still, she's not gym-crazed or diet-obsessed, adding that she's not exercising too much for now: "I walk on the treadmill a little bit. I walk on the driveway. I'm very active with the children." Sure, she's blessed with some supermodel genes (and possibly a very long driveway), but even still, Heidi's take on weight loss seems surprisingly down-to-earth to me - do you agree?

Are Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Products Safe?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

It seems like just about every product having to do with your mouth shouts the word "whitening" all over it. Gums, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and whitening kits are available to make your pearly whites even whiter. Who doesn't want gleaming white teeth, right? The question is, how safe are these products?

When used as directed, these products are safe and cause minimal side effects. Although, common complaints do include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Since teeth whiteners are not drugs, you should know that the FDA does NOT monitor them. Some products have the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance, which means that they have met ADA guidelines for safety and effectiveness. Only a few whitening products contain this seal, and manufacturers have to voluntarily seek acceptance.

However, only whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and gum can receive this approval. You won't find whitening kits on their list since the ADA strongly feels that professional consultation is important to ensuring safe and effective use.

Just because a whitening product doesn't have the ADA Seal, doesn't mean it's necessarily unsafe. What things should you look for when buying an over the counter whitening kit? To find out read more

Look for kits that allow you to customize or mold the mouthpiece. These are better than the ones that come with a standard mouthpiece or strip, since the chemicals can irritate your gums.
Get recommendations from your dentist to see which kit brands work better than others.
Follow the directions on the package. If it says to keep it on your teeth for 30 minutes, don't leave it on for an hour.
If your gums change color, or you experience tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, stop using the product immediately.

Fit's Tips: If you are really serious about whitening your teeth and are also concerned about your safety, you should get it done professionally by your dentist. For around $300-400, they'll take impressions of your teeth and make a tray that fits your mouth perfectly, so the chemicals end up on your teeth and not on your gums. You can still whiten your teeth at home, which is great, but it'll be more effective than the store-bought kits.

Also, to keep your pearly whites as white as you can, read this: Stained Teeth? Coffee Is Not the Only Culprit. It will tell you which foods you should avoid.

Source

Label Able: Folic Acid Seal

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0800

Did you know that it is recommended for women planning to get pregnant to take folic acid for a full year prior to conception? If you didn't know that recommendation, you are not alone. A recent survey completed by the March of Dimes found that the majority of women ages 18 to 24 had no idea about folic acid helping prevent birth defects. Folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) is a B vitamin that helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine, like spina bifida.

In response to the lack of knowledge on this preventative measure against birth defects, the March of Dimes created this folic acid seal, to help women identify foods that have been fortified with folic acid. The seal certifies that the food contains 10 percent per serving of the recommended daily amount of folic acid for women of childbearing age, which is 400 micrograms. Produce naturally high in folate/folic acid like spinach, strawberries and orange juice, will not bear the symbol, as it will only be used by companies making grain products, like enriched flour.

So if you are looking to start a family start looking for this seal, take a folic acid supplement and/or eating foods naturally high in folate like: asparagus, broccoli, and orange juice.

Source

Minutes to a Healthier You: Shorter Showers

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:48:08 -0700

Itchy, flaky, dry skin is a common issue among fit women because they often shower twice a day - once in the morning, and once after a workout. The water washes away the natural oils in your skin that protect it from drying out. On top of that, now that cooler temps are moving in for many of us, we're indulging in longer, hotter showers to warm us up, which dries our skin out even more.

If you want to do your largest organ a favor, aim to be under the water for less than 10 minutes, and opt for warm water instead of a steaming hot stream. When you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry (don't rub), and then immediately moisturize your skin to seal in the moisture.

Back on Track: Big Bowl of Fruit Salad

FitSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:04:40 -0700

If you 're struggling with getting more fruit in your daily diet, here's a way to make it happen. Like with everything, a little prep goes a long way. So this weekend, make a huge bowl of fruit salad for the week. Cut up all your faves like melon, strawberries, nectarines, and pineapple. Add fresh blueberries, grapes, cherries, and strawberries. It only takes about 20 minutes to do it all at once, which is much easier than taking fruit out to cut up every day. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge and it's a quick and convenient snack you can enjoy all week long.

Relax Already: Make Your Own Citrus-Mint Sugar Scrub

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Indulging in a hot shower or bath is one of my favorite ways to reduce stress. Couple it with a sugar scrub, and it's just as good as a full-body massage - well, almost). Why buy a sugar scrub, when it's so easy to make your own?

Here's a recipe that incorporates the summery scent of citrus. To see it read more.

You'll need:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon fresh tangerine juice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon fresh grapefruit juice
3 to 5 drops of peppermint oil

Mix the sugar and almond oil first. Then add the juices. Lastly, mix in the peppermint oil. Store in a sealed container.

If citrus isn't your favorite scent, try this recipe for Brown Sugar Body Scrub. Not only will a sugar scrub relieve tension, but it's also a gentle way to exfoliate dead skins cells from your body.

You Asked: For Omega-3s - Flaxseed Oil or Fish Oil?

FitSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I never eat fish, so I worry about getting enough omega-3s. Before I start taking supplements, I wanted to know which is the better choice, flaxseed oil or fish oil capsules?
-Unsure About Omegas

I'm glad you're focusing on getting enough omega-3s, since this essential fatty acid is so beneficial to our health. These fats have anti-inflammatory and mood-stabilizing properties, can relieve chronic pain, have been found to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, and can lower cholesterol. To find out which capsules are the better choice, read more.

In order to answer this question, we need to go over the three types of omega-3s:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): Necessary for physical and mental health, this type is found primarily in fish and fish oil.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Especially important to your body and necessary for various bodily functions involving your brain, blood vessels, and immune system. It's found in shellfish, fish, and fish oil.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): This is the only omega-3 found in plants like flaxseeds, canola, soy, hemp seed, walnuts, and enhanced foods. When you consume ALA, your body converts it into EPA and then eventually into DHA.

Fish oil capsules contain both EPA and DHA, and flaxseed oil capsules contain ALA. Even though our bodies convert ALA into DHA and EPA, it's more beneficial to your body to consume EPA and DHA directly. If you have nothing against eating fish products, I'd opt for the fish oil capsules and look for the USP seal when shopping for supplements. One dose will only fulfill about half of your RDI of omega-3s though, so think about getting the rest from foods such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Fit Tip: Rotate Variables Like Malin Akerman

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Malin Akerman looks the part of a superhero in Watchmen, all thanks to her hard work under the supervision of her trainer, former Navy SEAL Logan Hood. Akerman is full of praise for the workouts that made her sweat and said, "My muscles have never had such tone. My body was noticeably different."

Hood's tip for getting results and keeping things interesting is to change one variable per workout: weight, intensity, or volume. He explains, "Increase the weight but lower the number of reps one day; lower your standard weight but add a set the next; use your standard weight but do more reps faster on another." Rotating variables is a great way to switch things up without making it too complicated.

So, you're wondering what exercises got Malin into superhero shape? Be forewarned: there are burpees involved! To see a video of five exercises in Hood's program, read more.

Source

The Skinny on Swedish Goggles

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

My early morning trips to the gym usually involve me leaving some essential item at home, be it my sock or my goggles. We learn from our mistakes, right? Recently, I had to borrow my trainer's Swedish goggles, and they rocked.

Designed for speed, these goggles left no suction cup circles around my eyes when I finished my session. I have been looking for goggles that are kind to the delicate skin around my eyes and that also don't leak. Swedish goggles have no rubber or foam gasket to seal around the eyes and this gives them a low-drag profile, which is why racers like them. Less drag translates into faster times. The goggles are cheap, too - a pair generally costs around $4. The catch is you have to (or get to) assemble them. Think of it as a crafty fitness project, and this way you get to perfect the fit. Swedish goggles come with two eye pieces, plus string and a small blue tube to create a nose piece. A long piece of latex serves as the headband for a "secure racing fit." I was able to assemble mine in less than five minutes.

You can spend about $10 more for a pair with a metalized finish that reduces glare for open-water swims, and some have anti-fog coating. You can find them at Swimoutlet.com or check your local swim store.

Source

The Skinny On: Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Eating fish is a great way to get your fill of essential omega-3 fatty acids. This healthy fat can help fight obesity, improve your mood, prevent chronic aches and pains, and keep your heart healthy. If you're not a fan of preparing or eating fish, then you may opt for the convenience of fish oil capsules instead. You may have wondered how safe these supplements are when it comes to mercury levels or toxic pollutants found in some species of fish.

To find out, read more.

Studies show that most fish oil supplements contain little or no mercury since they're made from cod, anchovies, and sardines. These types of fish are lower on the food chain, so they live shorter lives and accumulate less mercury. Most companies distill their fish oils too, which helps remove any contaminants such as dioxins or PCBs. So if you're worried about getting too much mercury from eating fish, taking fish oil supplements is a safe choice. Also, look for the USP seal on your nutritional supplements.