FitSugar

Bacne: An Unpleasant Side Effect of Working Out

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:05:38 PST

Hey FitSugar,
This is so embarrassing, but I've been training for a half marathon and as my weekly mileage increases I've started to develop terrible breakouts all over my back especially around my bra line. Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing this?
- Baby Got Bacne

I hear ya! Working out is sweaty business. Which is great for detoxing your body, but all that perspiration can be hard on your skin. My best piece of advice on preventing bacne is also the easiest to follow: take off those sweaty clothes immediately after a run and shower right away. Drink your recovery drink in the shower if you must. Now if you are already shedding your wet running togs and still feel plagued by acne here are a few new tricks to try.

Make sure your bra and shirt are made of fabric that wicks the sweat away from your body - cotton is not your friend. In cooler months, I like to wear a thin merino wool shirt on my runs, which naturally wicks the sweat away.
If your routine includes cardio followed by strength training, change your shirt and bra between activities. This may sound like a pain but can really help. If you have a chance, wipe or rinse (much more complicated mid-workout) your back before putting on fresh clothes. This mid-workout break might not only save your skin, it could help you burn more fat.
Use a scrub that contains acne fighting salicylic acid like ACNEdote by Alba Botanical. Use a scrub brush so you can reach all parts of your back, but don't scrub so aggressively that you aggravate the skin even more.
Try over the counter acne medication. The skin on your back is tougher than the skin on your face. After showering try glycolic or alpha hydroxy lotion of about eight or 10 percent strength. Or try 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. Remember, benzoyl peroxide will bleach your clothes.
Stop carrying a heavy backpack, especially if you are trying the regimen above. Backpacks can irritate the skin on your back and promote even more sweating.
If you're really at a loss, make an appointment with a dermatologist and hopefully they will clear things up for you (literally and figuratively).

Whatever you do, don't stop running! Good luck with the half marathon.

Eat Cake For Breakfast and Lose Weight, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:21:52 PST

If your insatiable sweet tooth is preventing you from losing weight, findings from a recent study may be just the thing to help you slim down. Researchers found those who ate a large breakfast that included something sweet lost weight and were able to keep off more pounds than those who ate a small breakfast.

A group of 193 obese adults (not a huge study) were split into two groups. One ate a large, 600-calorie breakfast that included a sweet item such as a cookie, cake, or doughnut. The other group ate a 300-calorie breakfast with no dessert. Both groups ate the same amount of calories daily: 1,600 for men and 1,400 for women.

Keep reading to find out more details about cake and weight loss.

Rachel Zoe Totes Skyler in Style as She Makes the NYFW Rounds

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:10:32 PST

Rachel Zoe had her son Skyler in her arms as the pair returned to their NYC hotel yesterday. Rachel bundled him up in a knit hat and sweater while she rocked a fur coat and shades. The duo stayed close during a break from the NYFW festivities, but she was back out on the town later in the evening to claim a front-row seat at her longtime friend Marc Jacobs's runway presentation. It's been a busy few days in the Big Apple for Rachel and her family. On Saturday, she debuted her Fall 2012 Rachel Zoe collection, and on Sunday, she hit up several of her fellow designers' shows. Rachel was backstage at Diane von Furstenberg and at Derek Lam, where her husband Rodger Berman joined her for a few photos. We caught up with the stylist during the latter show. Rachel shared her cold weather styling tips with us as well as her advice for looking chic on the go. There are still several fashion-packed days left to go this NYFW, so be sure to stay tuned to Fab and Fashionologie for their backstage reports and runway coverage as the week goes on!

Whitney's Chris D'Elia Is Back With More Relationship Advice

Annie Scudder — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:09 PST

Single and looking for eligible, normal guys? Don't move to LA, says Chris D'Elia, who plays a lovable and hilarious boyfriend on NBC's Whitney. That's some of the advice the standup comedian dished out in response to our readers' questions. Yesterday he addressed your Valentine's Day dilemmas, and today's he's back to tackle general dating and love debacles.

Is it fair to barter TV shows with my fiancé? As in, two hours of The Bachelor equals half of a football game?

Chris: Look, I don't like football, but if I did and I wanted to watch it, then I would expect to have to sit and watch something like The Bachelor, and I would try my best to get into it, or at least find why she liked it. The other alternative is like, "OK, I want to watch football you want to watch The Bachelor, then let's agree on something else." But then neither of you get to watch what you want to. For The Bachelor, I'd want to watch Dexter.

Where do normal men hang out in LA? If you can solve this mystery (preferably with a chart that includes days of the week, locations, and "type" of guy) I guarantee you could sell it for millions in addition to making this single lady very happy.

Chris: I don't think that's a fair question. I think people move to LA because they're not normal.

What's the best way to suggest to any man that he needs to get some new clothes?

Chris: The worst thing you could do is beat around the bush, or side step it. You got to just say it. But I had an ex, and she was like "you got to get Converse," and she kept saying it - "get Converse." I was finally like, "OK, I'll get a pair of Converse." And I got a pair of Converse. I got those regular Chuck Taylor ones, but I literally got every single color of the Converse, and I wore them all the time. And a year later, she was like "All you wear is Converse." So you have to be careful with that, you'll create a monster.

Why do men need their man caves?

Chris: I think that men think they need their man caves. They don't really do. They think they want them, and then the second they do get them and they have alone time and time away from the girl, and the girl is really cool with giving them alone time, then that's when they, or at least I, start to think, "So, why are you so cool with me being alone? What's wrong with me that you don't want to be with me every second."

How can I ask my husband to do housework without sounding like a task master?

Chris: Don't make a list. Don't pin anything up on the fridge. I'm a dude, obviously, and when I'm not in a relationship, I don't do any of that stuff. I don't do laundry until I want to. But if I live with a girl, you have to do it when she wants to or when we want to, which sucks. That totally messes up my day. So just come out and just say it. Just have a good attitude about it and don't wait until you get frustrated.

How would you describe your perfect woman and how could she attract your attention?

Chris: Tweet at me. That gets my attention. The number one thing is, you have to have a good attitude. Find the humor and the fun in things that aren't even fun. The two things that turn me off completely are negativity and if a girl's cheap. I mean, I'll pay for everything, but if a girl just mentions it, that's a turn off. That and DON'T WEAR FLIP-FLOPS. It's terrible. I mean come on. Put something on your feet. What if you have to run away? You're dead.

I'm moving in with my boyfriend next month and it's the first time I'm living with a man. What should I prepare for? Get the answer and much more advice from Chris below!

Count Your Roses to Decode Your Valentine's Hidden Message

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:38:28 PST

As old superstitions fade and Emily Post-like etiquette evolves, you're probably not counting the number of roses or orchids or hydrangeas you received today (or, like most people, didn't). But the number of roses a man once gave a woman held hidden meanings, so check out what your Valentine either intentionally or, more likely, unintentionally told you today.

One rose: Love at first sight, or years later "you are still the one."
Two roses: Mutual love and affection . . . so you may owe him two roses!
Three roses: The traditional three-month anniversary gift also simply means "I love you."
Six roses: Infatuation, or "I want to be yours."
Nine roses: A big jump up from six, nine roses symbolize eternal love or "I want to be with you forever."
10 roses: A perfect 10 means "You are perfection."
12 roses: A dozen is like picking the best heart from a Sweetheart candy box, it means "Be Mine."
13 roses: Thirteen may be a baker's dozen, but not so in love. Its meaning is actually disputed: Teleflora says it means you'll be friends forever, but several other sources, like Love Letter Box, say it means you have a secret admirer.
15 roses: Does he have a reason to apologize? Because 15 roses means "I'm sorry." If not, take it as credit for future remorse.
20 roses: The red starts to get excessive around 20, and supposedly that means "Believe me, I am sincere toward you." Usually, sincerity does not need to be proved with quantity, but that's just me!

People send more than 20. See what they mean below.

Love Your Laptop: 8 Tips For Keeping it Healthy and Happy

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:23:02 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be about giving affection to your significant other. It can be about showing your appreciation for the people and things that make your life awesome. Take your laptop, for example. Your window to the vast Internet, your laptop works really hard for you without asking much in return. Give your laptop a little TLC this Valentine's Day with these tips that will keep it happy and healthy all year long.

Clean it up - Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or a portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.
Practice proper shutdown habits - Shutting down all open programs and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport. But if you've had your laptop in a cold environment, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Protect your investment - If you're going to be lugging a laptop around, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

"My Boyfriend Is a Jerk"

Tres Community — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My boyfriend makes such hurtful comments that he has me crying at least once a week. I also see him checking other women out right in front of me. I know that he feels unattractive and I wonder if he says stuff to me because he feels inadequate. He has told me my butt is too big and my breasts are too small. He told me I should have breast augmentation to just have a lift. He wants me to set up a three way with another woman. To be honest I love him and hate the thought of sharing him. He makes me feel inadequate in every way. I have started to take prescription anxiety medicines frequently because I am in tears most of the time. He told me the woman he wants to have for our three way and she is pretty but I feel like why should I be there if he wants her why not just have her and let me go? I don't understand him at all. He wants to talk about marriage but I could never marry this man. Every time I try to break free something he says brings me back. I want away from him and I don't want to get pulled back. Why can't I stay away from him. I deleted him from my cell phone, I deleted him from my email. I have blocked his text messages. What else can I do to keep from being pulled back in?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

12 Things You Should Never Buy Full-Price

Business Insider — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:15:25 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

With the Internet, helpful mobile phone apps, and retailers scrambling to keep consumers in their shops, there's no need to pay full-price for much of anything these days.

To give you a boost, we tapped a few savvy shoppers for their tips on all the ways you can save.

Theater tickets

"One of the greatest savings areas recently has been the theater ticket business," says Anna Aronovich, CEO of GovernmentAuctions.org.

Even if you're not going to be around NYC to score discount Broadway tickets this month, there are opportunities in nearly all cities to see shows on the cheap.

Some rewards programs like Optimum Rewards cost nothing to join and offer discounts on shows.

Beer

If you're looking to stock the fridge for your next poker night, don't hit the liquor store until you've checked out www.saveonbrew.com.

The company's been featured on a host of deals sites lately as one of the best ways to find discounts on brewski, says Jennifer Davidson, director of operations. (See some incredible uses for beer.)

Read on for more.

Whitney's Chris D'Elia Has Funny Answers For Your V-Day Questions

Annie Scudder — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:37:26 PST

You asked, and Whitney's Chris D'Elia answered your Valentine's Day and relationship questions. The standup comedian, who says he's seeing a special someone ("she's super"), took our reader questions on the topic of love and dating in time for Feb. 14. So if you're looking for a guy's perspective before Valentine's Day, take some advice from Chris, who plays Whitney Cummings's hot boyfriend on the NBC Wednesday-night comedy.

What can I get my boyfriend for Valentine's Day that he will actually like?

Chris: I mean, I don't know many guys who like the romantic stuff. So I honestly think Valentine's Day is mostly for girls. I don't expect anything if I have a girlfriend, but I think a nice card with something sweet in it usually makes me feel good and important.

If you're in a new relationship on Valentine's Day, what can you suggest that won't freak out the guy?

Chris: I think if it's a new relationship, you have to let the dude handle it. Even if you're like, "Oh my God I didn't get you anything because I didn't want to freak you out," then that's so cute. It's like she respects you to not want to blow it, but she also wants you to be the man.

What is the most romantic breakfast item you can think of?

Chris: I don't even know what's romantic about any breakfast item? When I think about eggs, like that's so unromantic. I think there's just no romantic breakfast items. I guess if it's in bed, that's romantic. I used to do breakfast in bed for a girl on Valentine's Day, and she liked that. She ate it up. Literally.

I'm single and I hate Valentine's Day. Any advice for getting through it as a single girl?

Chris: Yeah, you don't hate Valentine's Day. I think you're not being honest with yourself. There's no way you don't like Valentine's Day. There's no way! You secretly like it. You just have to realize that. You need to come to terms with it.

In light of it being Valentine's Day, if a girl likes a guy and he hasn't picked up on her hints, can she ask him out?

Chris: For me, I have to be the aggressor. I don't like it when girls ask me out. But I know that there are guys who are very shy who would like that. I think that it's a case-by-case basis. But I would say, normally if the guy's not asking you out or hovering around you, he's not interested. Like if a guy's talking to you, he's interested. If he's looking at you and you're not even talking to him, that's a huge thing.

Can girls and guys be friends? Keep reading for Chris's answer!

It's Not a Diet! Lose Weight With Lifestyle Changes Instead

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:39:18 PST

Whenever you resolve to eat healthier or fewer calories, it can be easy to fall into the diet trap - thinking that you just have to power through for a few weeks eating only lettuce in order to meet your weight goals. But instead of dreading the idea of healthy eating, think of your new goals as a lifestyle change, not a diet, with these tips.

Get creative in the kitchen: When you've resigned yourself to eating the same healthy thing over and over again, you can get bored with your meals pretty easily. If you're apprehensive about trying a new healthy food or you just don't know where to start when it comes to making a healthy meal plan, check out our delicious healthy recipes index for endless ideas.

Don't use ultimatums: Crash dieting sets you up for failure; a better solution is to think of your new eating initiatives as something sustainable. That means that while you may have to cut back on your daily doughnut habit, you shouldn't deprive yourself of your favorite unhealthy foods forever. Have a cheat day or have treat or two, mindfully, so you'll be more apt to stick to your new eating plan.

More tips for staying away from the "diet" mentality after the break.