FitSugar

Reality Check: Skinny Water Won't Make You Skinny

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:30:00 PST

Kristen Bell and Nicollette Sheridan are fans of Skinny Water, the beverage whose motto is "Get Skinny, Stay Fit." These beverages contain "0 calories, 0 sugar, and 0 guilt," and they're made with the green tea antioxidant, EGCG, to help tame your metabolism. While green tea has been shown to speed up your body's calorie-burning process, you can't add these drinks to your diet and expect to miraculously lose weight, which is what Skinny Water implies. On their XXX-Detox drink's description, it says "Three Xs and you're . . . in the skinny club."

What you discover when reading the ingredients is that these drinks contain Splenda (sucrolose), an artificial sweetener that may be calorie-free, but is not exactly good for you. Skinny Water is basically like fruit-flavored Diet Coke - no calories, no nutrition. To get the benefits of green tea, you'd be better off drinking a freshly brewed cup.

I have a bit more to say on the matter, so to hear why Skinny Water annoys me

read more. Even the name of this drink bothers me because I'm tired of the constant emphasis on being thin. We get that message already from magazines and TV, so we don't need it from our beverages. Skinny Water reminds me of those thinkThin bars. Both products have callous marketing ploys to make people think thinness is a must, and that we have to eat these foods to achieve it. Grr! Am I just being overly sensitive, or do these kinds of products bug you, too? Source

Best Practices: Extend the Life of Your Workout Wear

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:37:43 PST

You splurged on $70 capris, but since they make such a difference in the way you feel during workouts, you'll never go back to cheapo clothes again. Because you've shelled out a lot of dough for these items, it's best to know how to take care of your workout clothes so they'll last. Always check the label or the brand's website for care instructions, and to answer a few common concerns about washing wicking-wear, we spoke to a few of our fave brands to get the skinny on the matter.

Go With Cold
We spoke with Zobha, Lululemon, and SmartWool, and they all agree: wash your technical and wool workout garments in cold water. No need to hand wash either! Just drop your clothes into the machine. But Lululemon adds "avoid washing with fluffy clothing (i.e. big cotton sweatshirts)" so your favorite leggings don't end up with a bunch of unwanted lint as decoration.

Say No to Bleach and Fabric Softeners
Bleach does not play nice with technical fabrics, so these brands say to avoid it. When it comes to your woolens, SmartWool recommends avoiding fabric softeners "because they coat the merino wool fibers and reduce the fibers' ability to naturally manage moisture and regulate your body temperature."

To Tumble Dry or Not
When it comes to drying your gear, all these brands agree: it's perfectly acceptable to tumble dry your clothes on low. Lululemon does provide the caveat that "hanging to dry will help prolong the life of the garment." I find using the dryer helps lessen the stink factor that affects some of my workout wear. Plus it saves time - I hate when I grab a pair of air-drying capris for my morning workout and they're still damp.

If you have more questions on washing your fave pieces of gear, read up on how to wash workout clothes for more tips.

Savvy Gifts For Your Boyfriend For $20 or Less

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:15:59 PST

Buying gifts for men is always a tricky business, because you want to give them something useful, thoughtful, and stylish, which can be a challenge if you don't want to spend a fortune. But we're up for the challenge. If you are on a budget this year, here are five gifts that you can buy for your savvy boyfriend that are $20 or less.

From top to bottom:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson ($18) is a thrilling, must-read biography for techies and business aficionados alike.
Whiskey Stones ($20) keep whiskey nice and cold, and unlike ice, they won't water down the good stuff.
A sleek Stainless Steel Tumbler ($20) is eco-friendly, and the double-walled stainless steel layers will ensure coffee stays hot during cold Winter months.
Aldo Bawcombe Tie ($15) is skinny, stylish, and perfect for the urban worker.
Banana Republic Red Plaid Boxers ($19) are comfy, cute, and Winter appropriate.

3 "Skinny" Thanksgiving Sides (Sweet Potatoes and Stuffing Included!)

Self — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:02:58 PST

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

We have some alarming news about your Thanksgiving dinner plans. According to SkinnyChef.com founder Jennifer Iserloh, the average American consumes 3,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. That, Iserloh points out, is the equivalent of one pound of body fat, people. (Are you running in place yet?)

Don't worry. We're not going to suggest that you skip the gravy or - gasp! - dessert (let's not get crazy here). Believe it or not, says Iserloh, despite that "pound of fat" comment, the average Thanksgiving meal is already fairly healthy. "It's all about portion size," she explains. "So remember not to overload your plate - your waistline will thank you, and it means a lot more leftovers throughout the week!"

Iserloh offers two simple strategies for making traditional sides "skinny," so your table (and thus your plate) isn't totally overloaded with calories:

Cut down on milk fat. Use skim milk when the recipe calls for milk or half and half. And, Iserloh assures us, you don't have to forgo butter all together - just cut the amount in half and use a little chicken broth if you need more moisture for whipped potatoes and stuffings.
Boost the flavor! When you cut the fat in half in your traditional recipes, use "flavor boosting" ingredients that are low-calorie. Iserloh recommends orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard and turkey bacon.

And now, the SkinnyChef's three recipes for trim and tasty Thanksgiving sides

Reese Witherspoon Runs Errands as She Gears Up For Her Sex Tape

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:43:18 PDT

Reese Witherspoon was out and about in LA yesterday in skinny jeans and booties. The actress has been spending a low-key couple of weeks close to home with her family, going to church with her husband Jim Toth and kids Ava and Deacon Phillippe on Sunday, and stepping out to do some shopping sans costume on Halloween. Reese has been enjoying married life since tying the knot with Jim in March. The newlyweds took a romantic trip to Europe together in July, and the whole Witherspoon-Toth family vacationed in Hawaii in August.

Reese has been absent from the big screen since Water For Elephants hit theaters, but this February, she'll return with the romantic comedy This Means War. She'll also be back on the set shortly filming a new raunchy role in Sex Tape alongside Jason Segel. In the meantime, fans of hers should be sure to enter for a chance to win a dress Reese wore in Water For Elephants, which we're giving away to one lucky PopSugar reader!

Foods That Prevent Weight Gain

Self — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:15:32 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Prefer your morning java to a steaming cup of tea? Here's a compelling reason to make the switch: a new study in the online journal Obesity suggests that green tea may help prevent weight gain. Other recent studies have also suggested that drinking a cup or two of green tea each day may help you manage your weight. But is sipping green tea really the best way to stave off pounds before you pack them on? We asked Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clarke, SELF contributing editors and co-founders of C&J Nutrition, to weigh in.

Green tea and veggies that are very low in calories like celery, cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, etc. are healthy to include in your diet because they contain antioxidants, water to keep you hydrated, and fiber, which can help you feel more full and potentially eat fewer overall calories," Jarosh and Clarke say.

Jarosh and Clarke are not convinced that most of us can drink enough green tea to mimic the weight-loss results found in some of the recent studies. But enjoying a cup or two each day may improve your health as part of a relaxing ritual, so it's worth a shot!

Looking for a few more ways to prevent weight gain before it happens? Read Jarosh and Clarke's two favorite tricks after the break.

Stalled Weight Loss? Sore Muscles? Joy Bauer Has 3 Fast Fixes

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:11:12 PDT

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

In her latest book, Today Show contributor Joy Bauer, R.D., explains that if you make the right diet choices, you can boost your mood, improve your memory and even see healthier skin, hair, and teeth (not to mention drop a few pounds)! Bauer gives you her eating prescription in Food Cures, a book that follows her motto "life is hard . . . food should be easy."

Food Cures highlights 17 different conditions or common health complaints and offers solutions or suggestions based on cutting-edge science to eat your way to your goals. We asked Bauer to share three tips to try today for two areas our readers often ask for help with: easing exercise-induced muscle soreness and busting through a weight-loss plateau.

If you experience post-workout aches and pains . . .

Eat salmon twice a week: "The omega-3s are potent anti-inflammatories. I like canned if I'm in a hurry or hoisin-glazed," Bauer says.
Eat one red bell pepper a day: Surprise! Red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges. The vitamin can ease body aches.
Add a few slices of fresh ginger to hot water: "Ginger has the same compounds in it as many anti-inflammatory medications," Bauer says.

Keep reading to see what foods help with a weight-loss plateau.

Johnny Depp to Produce and Possibly Star in a Dr. Seuss Film!

PopSugar — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:48:08 PDT

Johnny Depp to play Dr. Seuss? Get all the details - Hollywood Reporter
Scarlett Johansson talks about aspiring for old Hollywood glamour - People
Blake Lively has come out of her DiCaprio romance looking really, really awesome - Lainey Gossip
Penn Badgley gets political and joins the Wall St. protests - Huffington Post
Why did Jimmy Fallon douse Hugh Jackman in water? - The Daily Beast
George Clooney says skinny dipping at his house is a tradition! - Us Weekly
Nina Dobrev spills Vampire Diaries secrets! - TooFab
Can Dolphin Tale hold on to the top box office spot? - Rotten Tomatoes
Wedding bells for Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman? - Wonderwall
Arnold Schwarzenegger dedicates a museum to . . . himself - Lifeline Live
Who was the latest person to storm off the Piers Morgan show? - Zap2It
Why did Ryan Gosling bring his dog to a yoga class? - Celebitchy

Social Dieting: The Best Way to Slim

Self — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:09:48 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

This just in! Mice who socialize with their "friends" in an active environment are slimmer and have flatter bellies than their lonely, lazy counterparts. So can humans learn a thing or two from sexy, skinny rodents?

To find out how being more "socially active" can help you shed pounds, we spoke to Tom Holland, owner of Tom Holland's Athletic Club in New Canaan, CT, and author of Beat the Gym: Personal Trainer Secrets Without the Personal Trainer Price Tag.

HealthySELF: The study from researcher Matthew During, a professor of neuroscience at Ohio State University Medical Center, found that mice given cages with running wheels, mazes, toys and unlimited high-fat food and water - along with 15 to 20 cagemates - saw some of their white fat cells, which store energy, take on characteristics of brown fat, which burns calories. They lost 50 percent more of their abdominal fat and gained 29 percent less weight than the control mice.

When mice were given just running wheels but no pals to play with, they didn't lose as much weight as the control mice, which seems to be very telling. Obviously, humans are not mice. But could this be evidence that being more social can help people lose weight?

Holland: It very well could be. Much of the exercise-based research begins with mice, and strong connections with humans have been found over the years. I believe a big component in all this may be the connection between social ties and depression. The less "connected" people are, the more prone to depression they become, which can lead to overeating and lack of exercise. A 2009 study by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center showed that staying busy and having a sense of purpose helps people live longer.

Find out more about how being social helps you shed pounds after the break.

DrSugar Discusses Mommyrexia

DrSugar — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:38:53 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's discussing mommyrexia and the implications of eating disorders during and after pregnancy.

I recently read an article from the New York Post on "mommyrexia," a phenomenon garnering a lot of public attention recently. Mommyrexia describes pregnant women obsessed with staying skinny during pregnancy and then doing whatever they can to get back, as quickly as possible, to their prepregnancy weight/size after delivery. According to the article, these women count calories, exercise excessively while pregnant, and sometimes even forgo breastfeeding after delivery to free their schedules for tons of personal training and exercise. Society today is so obsessed with celebrities and body image, and in my opinion, is placing unwarranted pressure on women to maintain their slim physique during pregnancy, like Victoria Beckham and Rachel Zoe, and to be bikini-ready three weeks after delivery like Bethenny Frankel. As if there isn’t already enough pressure on the general population to be ridiculously skinny, this pressure now extends to the sacred time of pregnancy?

I feel compelled to write about eating disorders and their potential implications in pregnant women. However, I must add that there is a large spectrum of what can be considered normal regarding weight gain and activity during pregnancy. Every woman is different and will gain differing amounts of weight. Both activity and weight gain in pregnant women depend on multiple factors and should be determined on a case-by-case basis between a woman and her OB-GYN. By no means am I here to judge anyone on how they behave during their pregnancy. The purpose of this week's DrSugar column is to provide information on how eating disorders can affect pregnancy. To learn more, keep reading.