FitSugar

Speak Up: How Do You Avoid Getting Sick?

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:00:09 PST

Washing your hands and not drinking from other people's glasses are obvious ways to avoid germs. Since those little buggers are everywhere and swine flu and other awful illnesses are on our minds this season, tell me the creative ways you steer clear of coming in contact with germs to avoid getting sick.

Germaphobes: 5 More Things to Avoid

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:00 PDT

So I've already told you about five places and things that are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. As if that wasn't enough to gross you out and make you never want to touch anything again, here are five more.

Airplanes and flight attendants. They are exposed to thousands of people's germs each day, and it's a great way to catch a cold. Everything you touch from the seatbelt, to the armrests, to the bathroom faucets, can contain stuff you don't want in your body, so keep some of that antibacterial liquid in your carry-on bag and use it often.
Your bed. Yep, it's a haven for dust mites. They live in your sheets, comforter, and mattress, feed on your dead skin cells, and many people are allergic to their fecal matter and dead bodies. So wash your sheets and comforter often, and place an allergy cover on your mattress to prevent dust mites from getting in.
The lemon, lime, or orange wedge in your drink. This seems innocent enough, but in a 2007 study, 70 percent of the fruit slices tested at restaurants contained one or more of 25 different disease-causing microbes, including E. coli and fecal bacteria. So next time, just order plain water.

What else should you watch out for? To find out

Your contact lens case. In a 2007 study, 34 percent of lens cases tested had creepy germs such as Serratia and Staphylococcus aureus. These can cause an inflammatory eye disease called keratitis, which can damage your cornea and result in blindness. So be sure to rinse your case every day with hot water, and it's a good idea to buy a new case every three months.
Your shower curtain. I'm sure you've noticed that layer of nasty brownish soap scum on your vinyl curtain, and aside from looking gross, it's also a breeding ground for germs. Since vinyl shower curtains are a pain to scrub down and clean thoroughly, it's recommended to use a fabric shower curtain instead. That way you can pop it in the washing machine once a month and blast away the germs with soap and hot water.

Source

Germaphobes, Avoid These Five Things

FitSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Germs definitely freak me out because I hate getting sick, especially in the Spring and Summer. If you feel the same way, then you may want to disinfect these five things, or avoid touching them altogether:

Your vacuum. Since you're sucking up germs, dirt, and other nasty things, vacuums aren't exactly clean. Actually, scientists found that 50 percent of vacuum brushes contained fecal bacteria and 13 percent had E. coli. All contained mold. Since the brush is so gross, to avoid contaminating clean surfaces, spray the brush with a disinfectant spray after you're done with it.
Your weightlifting gloves. Staph infections bind strongly to the polyester, which is often used to make gloves. It's best to ditch the gloves altogether, since not only will you avoid bacteria, but you'll also strengthen your grip.
Gym Equipment. If you belong to a gym, you might want to know that a 2006 study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found rhinoviruses (what cause colds) on 63 percent of the gym equipment at the fitness centers they tested. To avoid the germs, try not to touch your face, nose, or eyes while working out, and as soon as you're finished, wash your hands and face thoroughly to prevent getting sick.

What else contains tons of germs? To find out

The grocery cart and basket. Think of all the hands that grip those handles. Eww. A 2007 University of Arizona study discovered that two-thirds were contaminated with fecal bacteria. More eww. Definitely pack disinfectant wipes with you and wipe the handles down before touching.
The restaurant menu, doctor's office magazines, and other public reading material. You think these are ever cleaned? Since cold and flu viruses can survive up to 18 hours on a surface, there's a good chance those germs can get passed on to you. Don't let the menu touch your plate or silverware, and wash your hands thoroughly before your food comes. Remember that the bathroom door handle isn't the cleanest thing in the world, so when leaving the bathroom, open it while holding a clean paper towel.

Source

What You Shouldn't Put on Before Yoga Class

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:36:42 PST

Black leggings? Check. Cute tank top? Check. These are musts when it comes to taking a yoga class, but aside from these clothes you shouldn't wear to yoga class, check this list to find out what else you shouldn't put on.

Lotion: Slathering on hand lotion is something we do every day, but be careful not to put it on right before a yoga class. As soon as you begin to sweat, your hands will become slippery and can quickly become dangerous. Wash your hands thoroughly before class to reduce the spread of germs and ensure a solid grip. The same goes for lotion on other exposed areas. Any pose where you are skin-on-skin, such as Crow or Tree (if you're wearing shorts) will result in slipping, instead of remaining stable.
Bracelets: Although many people practice yoga while wearing jewelry, wrist and ankle bracelets can be distracting. When you're doing Bound Extended Side Angle, do you really want to wrestle with your bangle, trying to push it out of the way so your left hand can clasp your right wrist? If you need to accessorize, go for earrings or rings.

Keep reading to find out what else you shouldn't put on before doing yoga.

How Far Would You Go to Prevent Getting Sick?

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:38:18 PST

Washing your hands often and coughing into your elbow are common ways to prevent the spread of germs, but here are some other ways that aren't as mainstream. Keep reading to find out what they are and tell me if you'd go this far to avoid getting sick.

Source: Flickr User Evil Erin and Flickr User KateJones2011

7 Things That Annoy Your Yoga Instructor

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:59:40 PST

Yoga instructors are some of the kindest, most caring, most forgiving people on the planet, but that doesn't mean they can't get bothered by a student's behavior in class. Here are seven things you don't want to do in front of your yoga instructor.

Talking during class: It's disruptive and inconsiderate to the other students in class trying to focus and relax, but it also means you're not giving your own practice the attention it deserves. If you feel the need to catch up with a friend, make plans to do something after class ends.
Ringing cell phone, or worse - answering it: Everyone is quietly moving through Sun Salutations and all of a sudden a phone rings and shatters the serenity. Always remember to turn your ringer off. If you're expecting an important phone call that can't be missed, place your phone on vibrate next to your mat and be sure to take the call outside.
Coming to class sick to sweat out your germs: No one wants to breathe in your germs. The teacher especially doesn't want to assist you if you're sick and absolutely can't stand when you leave your snotty tissues on the floor next to your mat. Take this opportunity to explore your home practice; return to the studio when you're healthy.

Keep reading to find out what else annoys your yoga instructor.

How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 PDT

The cold temps are moving in and it's that time of year for colds and the flu. To prevent getting the sniffles, sore throat, and achiness, you've got to avoid the germs. It's not enough to watch out for germy places in your home. You've also got to beware of places that are shared by tons of people, and for FitSugar readers, that means the gym. Yours may seem neat and clean, but that doesn't mean it's germ-free. So here are some ways to avoid the invisible creepy crawlies that can make you sick.

Spray down all equipment before you use it with disinfectant spray. It may be a rule at your gym that you have to clean equipment after you use it, but who knows if the person before you remembered, or how thorough they were. Wipe down everything you touch including handles on weight machines and dumbbells, yoga balls, and buttons on the displays.
Purchase your own mat for yoga, Pilates, or strength training. They're sweat on by many, and rarely get washed.
If you're a major germaphobe, pack along other equipment like weights and resistance bands.
Bring your own towel from home to wipe off your sweat or to use after you shower. The gym towels are supposedly clean, but you never know.

Keep reading for more tips on avoiding gym germs.

5 Things: Avoid Getting Sick at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:30:00 PST

Getting weekly exercise is a great way to strengthen your immune system and benefit your overall health, but working out at a gym can be like walking into a germ factory. You're working out and breathing hard so closely to others, sharing air, equipment, and probably coming in contact with their sweat and bacteria. Here are a few tips on how to avoid germs at the gym.

Wash your hands once you get to the gym (it's a good habit to get into during this cold and flu season). Also wash your hands after using equipment. You may want to invest in some anti-bacterial gel or wipes to clean your hands and any equipment you're about to use.
Avoid wiping sweat off your face with your hands. Bring along a clean towel instead. You can use the towels provided by your gym, or if you are a super germ-a-phobe, you can always bring your own.
Wear clean, dry clothes every time you go to the gym. Even though your gym clothes may seem clean, bacteria and germs may be lurking from your previous workout. Once your workout is complete, get out of those sweaty clothes and take a shower to wash away sweat, bacteria, and germs before they have a chance to make you sick. If you don't have time, at least wash your hands and face thoroughly.

Want to the the others? Then

Don't go barefoot. The heat and moisture created by showers, saunas, and hot tubs creates a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and mold. So wear sneakers while in the main part of the gym, and wear flip-flops while in the locker room and shower to prevent athlete's foot.
Don't share, even with your friends. Use your own towel, yoga mat, goggles, sweatbands, razors, and your own bar of soap.

Source

10 Ways to Avoid Germs at the Gym

Self — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:16 PDT

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

Well, duh - this is what we thought when we first saw a new position paper by the National Athletic Trainers' Association that emphasized that people who work out in communal settings - such as a gym - are at risk for skin infections and other infectious diseases.

But, the truth is, with our crazed schedule, we try to get in and out of the gym as quickly as possible while getting a decent workout - often forgetting to sweat the details when it comes to avoiding germs that could lead to the common cold or a potentially dangerous infection such as antibiotic-resistant staph (MRSA).

While we're not going to be crazy about it and we're certainly not encouraging anyone to skip the gym entirely, we ARE going to try to clean up our act by following these no-brainer tips from Brian B. Adams, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Cincinnati:

Cover cuts with Band-Aids. This includes small breaks in the skin such as hangnails or dry, cracked skin.
Spray down machines - cardio and strength - even if they don't "look" sweaty. Most gyms have disinfectant available at points throughout the gym. Use it, says Adams. For best results, spray disinfectant directly on equipment, not on towels. And to make sure it kills the germs, let it sit on the surface for a couple of minutes before wiping it down with a clean cloth.
Never let your bare feet hit the floor - that includes showers, locker rooms, and pool decks, especially. "Always keep your sandals on," says Adams. "Make it so routine that when you forget to wear them it feels like you are driving without your seatbelt on."

For seven more ways to protect yourself at the gym, keep reading.

Bacteria Is Not Bliss: How to Keep Your Yoga Mat Clean and Germ-Free

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:36:17 PST

We're knee-deep in cold and flu season and although practicing yoga is a great way to strengthen your muscles and your immune system, doing Child's Pose with your face pressed into a dirty, germy mat is a surefire way to sign yourself up for a case of the sicks. You can protect yourself by keeping your mat clean with these tips.

Bring a towel to class to absorb your sweat, and also wear long pants. The more sweat you can absorb and not allow to pool on your mat, the cleaner it will be.
Choose one side of your mat to practice on. That way, one side always stays clean and only the other side comes in contact with the germs on the floor.
Before you practice, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid passing germs onto your mat. Then after class, roll up your yoga mat and place it in a mat bag or tote to protect it from outside germs.

Don't let your mat make you sick. Keep reading for more essential tips to keep your mat germ-free.