FitSugar

Ways Your Relationship Is Making You Fat

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:18 -0800

Being in a relationship has a lot of perks, but spending all that time with your honey can make you forget to take care of yourself, which can translate to an expanding waistline. If your clothes feel a bit more snug since you started getting serious with that special someone, here are some ways your relationship might be bringing on the pounds.

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Do You Own a Pair of "Fat Jeans"?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:36 -0800

It's common for a woman's weight to fluctuate depending on her cycle, her indulgences, and her exercise routine. So I definitely have pairs of jeans that fit me when I'm at my fittest, and a pair I wear when I'm a larger version of myself. What about you?

Real Women Gain Weight

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:48:08 -0700

Former Baywatch star Nicole Eggert is back and she's sticking it to her critics in a big way. In this Baywatch spoof, the 37-year-old mother-of-one reprises her role as Summer Quinn - red bikini and all. Eggert has endured criticism over the years for weight gain, to which she says, "I'm a real woman and real women gain weight!" The actress is one of the celebrities hoping to slim down on next year's Celebrity Fit Club.

I think this video is a hilarious critique on the emphasis put on body image and I applaud Eggert for putting her weight up for public discussion - what do you think?

Why We Overeat: Stress

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:31 -0700

If you find that you overeat throughout your day, but have ruled out excessive tiredness as the cause, then you may be reaching for fattening foods because you're stressed out. According to Health magazine, chronic stress causes your body to create cortisol and insulin. These hormones increase your appetite for comfort foods which tend to be high in fat, sugar, and salt. Eating these types of foods can make you lethargic and also lead to weight gain. If you're already overweight, fat cells produce cortisol as well, so you produce even more of this appetite-raising hormone.

To help break the stress cycle that has you reaching for a pint of Ben and Jerry's, you need to figure out the causes of your stress and work on decreasing them. Talk to your boss about your workload if it's too much, or if money issues are plaguing your brain make an appointment with a financial consultant. You can also micromanage your daily stress by exercising to clear your mind, taking a break from work to sip a hot cup of tea, or getting a tension-relieving massage. Make these stress-busters a part of your daily schedule and you'll not only feel calmer, but your urge to overindulge will wane too.

Fact or Fiction: Health Myths

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:50:39 -0700

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? And do you need all that water? With myths and old wives' tales sounding more like bona fide medical advice, knowing how to take care of yourself can be plain confusing. Do you know which of these accepted words of wisdom make real health sense? Take my quiz to find out.

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Why We Overeat: Lack of Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:47:24 -0700

We know that healthy portion sizes are the way to go if we're trying to slim down or maintain a healthy weight. So why is it that we're so quick to overdo it when it comes to eating? Health magazine suggests one reason may be that you're not getting enough Zs. When our bodies don't get the proper amount of sleep, two weight-related hormones are affected - leptin and ghrelin. These hormones are responsible for controlling your appetite and making you feel full. In a recent study, participants who slept for only fours hours had an 18 percent decrease in leptin, the hormone that tells the brain you've had enough food. On the other hand, ghrelin, the hormone that triggers hunger, showed a 28 percent increase. That means if you're not getting enough sleep at night, chances are your appetite will be increased when you're awake, so you'll end up eating more than you would if you were well-rested. The problem is sleep-deprived people tend to reach for sugary, high-carb foods for quick energy and comfort, which translates to weight gain.

So break the cycle and be sure to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. If you're feeling tired during the day, reach for a food that contains high-fiber carbs, such as oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and whole-wheat pasta. Eat it with protein to feel full longer and have sustained energy.

Another Reason to Stop After One Glass: Weight Gain

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:27 -0700

You all know I am big fan of moderation, especially when it comes to vices like chocolate or red wine. While alcohol might be the new exercise motivator, another health study was recently published seemingly to remind us all to be moderate when it comes to beer, wine, and booze. The UK study found that binge drinking leads to weight gain. And not just all over weight gain, but it increases belly fat, which is known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease.

Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting and doing so has measurable health consequences - women who tend to binge drink were found to have waists four inches larger than those who did not. The study found that drinking one drink a day for five days didn't have the same effect of increasing abdominal fat as binge drinking. The study was unable to determine how long one would have to regularly binge drink to create the weight gain. Regardless, add this one to your lists of reasons to stop after one glass.

Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:00:33 -0700

Which Hills actress said this about gaining weight while in love?

"I call it the boyfriend layer."

Is America's Antifat Rhetoric Out of Hand?

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:18 -0700

Being obese is unhealthy for many reasons - most recently, we learned it could lead to brain degeneration - but does that mean we should demonize overweight people?

A recent story on Newsweek.com questions whether this antifat rhetoric is totally out of control. From the "real" sized model featured in Glamour to outrage over President Obama's nomination of a heavyset woman, Regina M. Benjamin, as surgeon general, the story posits:

Virtually any news article about weight that is posted online garners a slew of comments from readers expressing disgust that people let their weight get so out of control.

As fashionistas like Anna Wintour say the media focuses too much on anorexia, Newsweek sites an endless parade of pundits who openly express a fat bias. Many of the haters seem to believe that overweight people should do something about their condition, but who's to say they aren't? Why don't we have more compassion for people who are trying to change?

Not to mention that some research suggests that it's possible to be both overweight and fit, and many of our country's unhealthy habits are the result of widespread cultural and dietary changes that go far beyond individual lifestyle choices.

Do you think the antifat criticism in this country has gotten out of hand in our culture? Or do you think it's a necessary step toward changing our habits?

The Truth Behind the Freshman 15

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:00:59 -0700

It is back to school season and when I asked you all recently if you gained the freshman 15, many of you responded that you had indeed gained some weight; the amounts varied though. According to a new study, about one in four freshmen gain at least five percent of their body weight during their first semester at college. This averages out to be about 10 pounds - a little over two pounds per month. The freshman weight seems to strike both men and women equally for in this study, performed at a midsized Midwestern university, there was no significant difference in the amount of weight gained between women and men. What's to blame: the study points the finger at all you can eat dining halls on most college campuses.

If you or one of your loved ones are headed off to college, it is important to remember to stay active during the transition from high school to college. Endless servings of mashed potatoes and soft serve ice cream are not the best way to deal with the new stress of life on campus.