Healthy happy you.
I'm sure you've seen an older woman who seems to have become shorter with age, is all hunched over, and appears to have a humped back. That rounded upper body you see is a sign of osteoporosis (bone loss), and it's called a dowager's hump (kyphosis). While bone loss makes your bones weak and can lead to fractures and breaks, for some women, bone loss causes loss of height. The bones in the spine Read more
Earlier this Summer we learned that the stout beer Guinness was good for the heart, and now Spanish research has found that beer may promote bone density. Out of 1,700 women participating in the study, those that were considered moderate beer drinkers had the highest bone density. It is believed that the plant hormone phytoestrogen found in beer, and not other alcohols, may be the key to building Read more
The hip joint connects your upper body to the power of your legs. Vital to all forms of movement, the hip joint is worth knowing about. Let's see what you know about this special part of your body. Source Take the Quiz Read more
I am always up for a cup of tea. I like all colors and varieties. Herbal, green, black, rooibos, iced, hot, with lemon, with cream — I am game for any and all. I just learned of another reason to take time out for tea: It may slow the loss of bone density. A new five-year study measured the bone density of 275 women at the beginning and end of the study. They found that women who regularly Read more
Taking calcium supplements might not help maintain bone density in the areas where frequent fractures occur (the head of the thigh bone or the vertebrae). Bummer. I just found this out and wanted to share with you 5 things that do affect your bone density. Drinking more than three colas per week can decrease bone density. Drinking more than one alcoholic drink a day also affects bone density Read more
I am always amazed how we are constantly given reasons to exercise - to build muscle and lose fat. Its not always about appearances, it's about your health. Once upon a time it was speculated that excess fat, which places more weight on the bones, could help build strong bones. Not the case any longer as researchers have found a strong (and positive) association between lean body mass and bone Read more
FitSugar reader FitFabCities has a circuit workout that works your entire body. She shared the video with us in our Fit Community. Grab a resistance band and a pair of dumbbells, and you're good to go for this full-body circuit-training workout . . . and the best part is you don't even have to leave your living room to do it. That said, this is also a great workout to try at the gym if you're Read more
It's hard not to stare at the scale after resuming your fitness routine once the holidays are over. Dinner tables covered with scrumptious dishes, and festive drinks and treats can quickly do a number on your overall body weight. But getting back in shape after indulging during the holidays shouldn't just be about the number on the scale. Here's why muscle mass is the secret to optimal health and Read more
At my first session with my trainer at Crunch gym, he led me through a short session doing planks using the TRX suspension system. After holding for a few seconds, it was clear: my core needed a lot of work. Just that small workout showed me how much I need to strengthen and build my muscles; I was trembling and sweating while my trainer counted down. While the Summer months can have you wanting Read more
Confession: I have a handful of dirty little secrets when it comes to my health and fitness. One of them is that I harbor a serious Diet Coke addiction. I've been known to have a regular two cans on a weekday, partially for the caffeine jolt, and partially because I like the taste (I know, I know). Recent studies have shown that even diet versions of popular sodas aren't good for you, and can Read more
