FitSugar

Kellan Flexes at LAX, Cam Gets Steamy With Xtina, and Garner Scrubs Toilets!

Molly — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Kellan Lutz jokes around with the paparazzi on his way back to Vancouver to film Eclipse, plus the latest role for Twilight star Cam Gigandet and some updates from New Moon. Late night included Jennifer Garner talking about her preschool duties and President Obama on Letterman. All that and more so watch PopSugar Rush now!

The Political Beet and President Obama

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Word on the street is that President Obama doesn't like beets. His aversion to this veggie is so strong that beets were not planted in the first lady's victory garden. Similar to the broccoli debacle that marred George Bush, Sr.'s nutrition record, beet advocates are up in arms about the president's dislike of the red root veggie. I am impressed that the garden includes the main ingredient of salsa verde, the tomatillo, as well as chard and Thai basil, and I understand that not every type of produce can make it into the garden. There was a period in my life where I avoided beets myself, but I have learned to love them. Roasted, they make great side dish or topping on a salad. Grated finely, raw beets make a colorful garnish.

You can eat both the leaves and the roots of a beet, so they are a two-for-one kind of plant. High in folate, beets are also high in betaine, which works with folate to help reduce inflammatory compounds that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, the pigment that gives beets their crimson color has been identified as a potent cancer fighter in laboratory mice. Since beets offer all these health benefits, maybe our president will give beets another try? Although, it seems like he already has a lot on his plate.

Which side of the line do you fall on? Are you pro-beets, or anti?

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Health Advocates Want Obamas to Release Daily Diet Reports

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

While the president and first lady are both dedicated to staying fit and healthy, one of them has taken on the agenda of promoting healthy living throughout the country. Michelle Obama is on a healthy eating mission, reiterating the importance of nutritious food from soup kitchens to your own kitchen table, and she believes in the power of community gardens that make fresh produce accessible to those who couldn't otherwise afford it.

The fit first lady and President Obama have opened up about their decision to eliminate juice boxes, sweets, and processed foods from their daughters' diets a few years ago, when Malia's doctor was concerned about her weight gain. The first daughters are healthy and active kids, and health advocates want the Obamas to publicize their family's eating habits to encourage other kids to choose spinach over tater tots.

Ruth Reichl, the editor of Gourmet magazine, is pushing for the White House kitchen to issue regular reports about what the first family is eating, in hopes that America's families will mimic the healthy theme of their menus. What do you think of this idea? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Speak Up: How Do You Motivate Yourself to Exercise?

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Regular exercise is part of my lifestyle, and normally I look forward to working out and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. Sometimes, though, the last thing I want to do is lace up my sneakers and do something active - the lack of motivation usually comes when I'm shooting for an early morning workout or after I've had a long day of blogging.

Lately, I've been thinking about the ever-fit Obamas when I'm having trouble motivating myself to get moving. I tell myself, if they can make exercise a priority in their lives, then I can, too. Tell me, how do you motivate yourself to exercise?

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Snack Like Obama: Fruit and Nuts

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Today we inaugurate a new president. The man who will be president not only works out six days a week; Obama also believes in healthy snacking. I vote for that!

Barack Obama makes snacks of fruits and nuts. Pistachios, known to lower cholesterol, are his favorite nut. As for the fruit we can only figure that he eats seasonally, which means these days he is enjoying citrus fruits of all kinds.

It has been mentioned, and recorded on film, that Obama likes Fiji water - not necessarily the drink of the masses. I appreciate the need to stay hydrated when running on a tight schedule, but bottled water shipped from halfway around the planet seems like a double eco no-no. Today, I will be snacking for our new president with a couple of tangerines, my favorite citrus fruit, and some yummy pistachios. What about you?

If you're still trying to figure out a menu for your own inaugural ball, my pal Yum has some ideas for you.

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Obama Hits the Gym 48 Days in a Row

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

President-elect Barack Obama knows that nothing beats stress like a rigorous workout, and between selecting his cabinet members, getting a head start on his plans for the economy, and traveling to Hawaii for his late grandmother's memorial service, Obama has continued to make time for exercise. In fact, it seems his commitment to fitness has only intensified as inauguration day draws nearer.

Obama's workout streak has lasted for several weeks, and it's reported that he's been exercising 90 minutes a day for at least 48 days in a row. Marty Nesbitt, one of Obama's closest friends from Chicago, said, "He does it every day like clockwork. He doesn't think of it as something he has to do - it's his time for himself, a chance for him to reflect. It's his break. He feels better and more revved up after he gets in his workout."

To see what the president-elect does during a typical workout, read more.

Obama covers his bases in the gym, dividing his time between weight-lifting and a cardio rotation including a stationary bike, elliptical, and treadmill. A protein bar and organic iced tea are a typical post-workout snack for this fitness fiend. We can expect to see our next president exercising throughout his term - exercise is no fad for Obama, who has been working out at least six days a week since he was 22 years old. Let's just hope he can find a way to lay off those unhealthy cigarettes, once and for all.

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Reality Check: Even Obama Struggles With Smoking

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:30:45 -0800

Barack Obama is one healthy man, exercising just about every day by running, strength training, and playing basketball. With such an active lifestyle, it's surprising to know that he has one unhealthy vice: cigarettes. He has admitted to smoking seven a day at times, and he's working hard to kick his habit before becoming president, when his stress level can only increase. Here's a recent clip from the Today Show where Obama talks about how he's planning to quit.

I've never smoked, but I have friends who have, and they say that quitting was one of the hardest things they've ever had to do. I guess that's why experts say it's best not to even start. Tell me, have any of you quit smoking? If so, how long did it take for you to kick the habit for good?

How the Obamas Work Fitness Into Their Busy Lives

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Follow the leader? Maybe it's not such a bad idea when it comes to copying the fitness-focused president-elect and future first lady. It's impossible to ignore Michelle Obama's buff arms and Barack Obama's slim physique when there are pictures of the power couple doing everything from waving to crowds to playing in the waves. With schedules more hectic than most people could imagine, the Obamas have managed to make fitness a priority - the president-elect even found time for shooting hoops on election day.

In an interview for the November issue of Men's Health, Barack Obama said, "Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a trade-off between sleep and working out. Usually I get in about 45 minutes, six days a week. I'll lift one day, do cardio the next."

To see Michelle's fitness strategy, read more.

According to Sandy Matthews, the future first lady's old workout buddy, Michelle uses cross-training and mixes strength and cardio exercises involving weights, the treadmill, the stair-stepper, or a spin bike. Like many of you, she is competitive with herself during her workouts with the goal of maximizing her time, and Matthews suggested that most women can relate. She said, "It's your time. I think every woman has to find their space and their time during the course of a day, especially a working mom."

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Speak Up: Is Obama Too Fit?

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal questions Barack Obama's ability to run our nation. Not because of his views on the war or on taxes, but because he is too fit. WTF?

In a country where 66 percent of the voting-age population are overweight and 32 percent are obese, could Obama's fitness be an issue? Obama openly claims to work out and eat healthy - and he's even quit smoking (yay!). Folks are wondering if Obama is too hard to relate to as more than half of the nation is struggling with weight issues. John McCain on the other hand, doesn't lift weights (cause he can't due to an injury) and has expressed his love for junk food. Obviously, I think that having a fit president would be fabulous, but as much as I love health and fitness it's not going to be a factor in who I vote for.

So what do you guys think about all this? Do you care about our next president's health? Does it matter to you if he does or does not work out, or if he does or does not eat junk food? Do you think that being overly fit could hurt a presidential candidate's chances of taking over the White House? Speak up and share your thoughts below.

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Would You Vote for a Smoker for President?

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I have been following Barack Obama's quest to quit smoking and so far, so good (apparently Nicorette is working for him). While I am sure his decision to quit had a lot to do with his health, I am also sure there was a good portion of the decision that came from wanting to improve his image for the elections in 2008.

This got me to thinking-would you vote for a smoker for President?

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