FitSugar

South Beach Diet Exercise Program Is Misleading

FitSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The latest in the South Beach Diet craze, The South Beach Diet Supercharged, is getting a lot of heat from top exercise researchers across the country.

The feature under particular scrutiny is an interval walking plan that promises that readers will burn many more calories than moderate walking and keep on burning calories all day. Researchers say no and no. They say, sure, those using the book's interval program may burn a few more calories than if they'd walked at a steady pace, but they won't burn "far more calories," and more importantly they won't burn calories for hours afterward as the book promises.

While I do feel like the South Beach Diet is a relatively good eating plan, I am not a fan of misleading customers to make a buck. So, I'm not saying that you shouldn't follow the book, just be prepared that your results may not be as dramatic as it claims they may be.

Healthy Read: The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0700

The worst part about college for me was the ~~classes~~ ~~dorm food~~ fact that whenever something went wrong with my health I didn't have my mom, who is a nurse, to tend to my every need. The slightest drip of my nose sent me in a crying frenzy.

Since there truly are so many things that can go on with a girl who's off to college for the first time (or seventh year), it never hurts to educate yourself (if you're that girl) or anyone else (if she's your daughter, sister, niece, etc.) on the health of a young woman. For this reason, I definitely wish I had The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide: From Sex to Drugs to the Freshman Fifteen ($11.25) when I was in school because it covers everything from dealing with the common cold, to navigating the college health center, to getting a tattoo.

While the book is definitely written for college girls, it would be a handy addition to the bookshelves of anyone from high-school girls to mothers- even fathers who want to know what the heck is going on with their daughters.

Janet Jackson Tells All in New Book About Weight

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Janet Jackson recently revealed to People that she plans on chronicling her weight loss ups and downs (apparently 60 pounds worth) in an upcoming tell all book about her own weight.

Here's Janet's take on why she wrote the book:

"[I'm] really coming from the soul with it, and what I was going through at different times in my life and what possibly brought it about for myself," she says of the yet untitled book. She'll also include in the book what she did "nutrition-wise" to slim down "when she needed to," but warns, "It's different for everyone."

Personally, I think it will be interesting to read about Janet's view on her weight in her own words, rather than in the skewed view of the tabloids - that poor girl has been put through the ringer about her weight. She looks great at the premiere of Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married, but Janet gives all the credit to her dress, not her weight loss. So stay tuned for a book release date and title.

Source

What's the Deal with The Cardio Free Diet?

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Anyone watching Good Morning America the other day may have seen the piece they did on The Cardio Free Diet ($13.80). Anyone who knows anything about exercise was probably just as stunned as I was.

The basic principal of the Cardio Free Diet is that cardio is a waste of time and it ruins your diet by making you hungry all of the time, so you shouldn't do it and should focus on weight training instead. I can see where Jim Karas, the author, was going with this book but it truly does not make sense in terms of real life application. Sure, lean muscle burns more calories at rest, but the overall benefits of cardio are plainly stated and researched across the world -- Cutting cardio out would be cutting you (and possibly your life) short. Don't even get me started on his recommended daily caloric intake of only 1200 calories. With or without cardio, I personally would be starving on only 1200 calories per day.

As always, I am having a hard time understanding why we all just can't grasp the fact that it is best all around to do cardio and resistance training along with eating right. Books like this may sound good and I am sure they appeal to those who truly hate cardio, but in my opinion, it's a love-hate relationship you need to learn.

Still interested, then buy the book from Amazon.com.

Weekend Reading: It's Not About the Bike

FitSugar — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

One of the pleasures of Spring is getting out my bike and tooling around town or going for serious rides. I love to bike. Do you? Are you looking for inspiration? Looking for a good read? Well if you haven't already you should read Lance Armstrong's autobiography: It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.

Co written with Sally Jenkins, a sportswriter for the Washington Post, it is easy and entertaining to read. Although the book is "ghost written," Armstrong's voice comes through clearly and honestly. Most of all it is an unromanticized telling of Armstrong's life story: his early biking years, his diagnosis with stage 4 cancer, his battle with the disease, his amazing recovery and his amazing wins of the Tour de France. Just surviving cancer is amazing and just winning the Tour de France is amazing, but the combination of the two is beyond incredible.

When you finish the book you really feel like you know him, and man you really want him to keep winning. And what's great is he did.

Get it from Amazon for $10.50. Or better yet, hop on your bike and pick it up at your local bookstore.

A Must Have: The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I have seen a lot of calorie counter books. Usually they give you a good idea of what could be in foods you are eating, but they are never too accurate or familiar with all brands.

The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter ($8.00, 2007 Edition) is fab! I love it and it is becoming my calorie bible. This small book has 11,000 food listings, including those from 200 fast food restaurants and contains international foods, carnival foods and fair foods. Ever wonder how many calories are in a churro? I did and now I know that one 8 inch churro packs a whopping 325 calories. Yikes!

It's fun to look through because you'll catch yourself flipping through pages and be amazed at the high calories in foods that you may (or may not) eat on a regular basis. Once you get this book you'll rely on it for everything. I keep mine in my bag so I have it readily available when I am out and about. Buy it directly from CalorieKing.com.

For a sneak peek at some of the pages, read more

View 15 Photos ›

Weekend Reading: The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Recently, there has been a bit of chatter on the Sugar pages about running marathons. Some of you have already run some while others are contemplating or training for one. Well, I have a great book for all of you newbies to check out, The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais.

The book serves as a training guide, running buddy, entertaining read and journal of Dawn’s experience getting up off her recliner and hitting the pavement with the goal of running 26.2 miles. Inspired to run for the American Stroke Society, Dawn joins a team for training. Using metaphors of battle she details her quest to find the ultimate running bra, hydrating while running, her dependence on her iPod.

The book will make you laugh while asking important questions prior to signing up for a race. Dawn will have you ask yourself - Do you think knee joints are overrated? Apparently her knees gave her lot of trouble while training. My other favorite quiz yourself question is: Sometimes, when driving long distances, like 15 miles or so, I feel the overwhelming urge to pull my car over and simply run the rest of the way. If you find this true, than marathons are for you.

Another great part of this book is worksheets for you to list how you are going to combat the inevitable excuses to not run. Another listing exercise helps you determine your reasons for running a marathon, while yet another helps you figure out different training strategies - like walking for 1 minute after completing 1 mile.

This is my kind of book, entertaining, motivational, informative and funny. Who knew chaffing could be so humorous?

Buy it at Powell's Books for $14.95.

Weekend Reading: Thin for Life

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

You guys were interested in the secrets of thin people, I figured that I'd let you know about a book you may find interesting.

The book, Thin for Life gives a refreshing insight on how to lose weight by looking at real people who have done it successfully! To write the book, Anne Fletcher the author and dietitian, surveyed 160 people who succeeded in losing at least 20 pounds and keeping the weight off for at least 3 years (though some lost far more weight and kept it off longer).

The book tells about their success stories, strategies, motivation, inspiration and tricks of the trade. Most, like many of us, had tried everything to lose weight before discovering what worked for them. From her findings based on their stories, Fletcher compiled the 10 keys to success. She lets the people who've lost weight speak for themselves throughout the book but she also fills us in additional information to make it possible to apply to your life. This book is a great read if you like learning by example, rather than numbers and science, which (in my opinion) makes it more motivating than confusing. By addressing such critical issues as boosting self-efficacy, taking responsibility, positive self-talk, problem solving, exercise motivation and finding a personal right way to lose weight, you'll feel empowered rather than baffled.

You can buy the book from Amazon.com for $10.65. If you're really into it, you may as well get the sister book Eating Thin for Life ($10.20) which is the recipe secrets book.

Our Lady of Weight Loss

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

I am always looking to find books and people with a different outlook on weight loss. Recently, oh boy, did I find what I was looking for.

Our Lady of Weight Loss is dedicated to those who are drawn to The Art of Weight Loss. Our Lady, which is like the patron saint of weight loss, encourages Janice Taylor (the first ever weight loss artist) to encourage us all to lighten up and have fun, laugh at yourself, enjoy a healthful lifestyle and redirect those 'feeding' energies into something creative and more fulfilling than any bowl of ice cream could ever be. It all started when Janice finally and permanently removed over 50 pounds 5 years ago after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting (performed with grace) and she wanted to share her successes with everyone.

A little kooky sounding, I know but it's all in good fun (and good weight loss). Instead of stuffing her face with cookies, she makes art about it. 50 pounds means 50 pieces of art. The book offers clear, witty instructions for art projects, including sewing, collage and lamp makeovers-most projects call for glitter glue, and lots of it. (Nothing says weight loss like a lot of glitter).

Our Lady of Weight Loss is like a really good motivational dieting coach that could possibly need to be locked up in a mental institution, but you don't care because she is so good. Don't get freaked out that much though, Janice's childhood fascination with nuns (she lived near a convent as a kid; the kindly nuns never commented on her chubbiness) sparked the theme and it really does not have any religious undertones at all.

Definitely check out her site, ourladyofweightloss.com and you can buy the book ($14.16) from amazon.com

Get Physical: Kama Sutra

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:42:06 -0800

Looking for a way to bring you and your lover closer? I'm sure you've heard of the Kama Sutra, and you know it has to do with sex, but the rest is kind of blurry.

You should know that the Kama Sutra, written in Sanskrit in 400 AD, contains a total of 64 sexual positions. Vatsyayana, the author, believed there were 8 ways of making love, multiplied by 8 positions within each of these.

Just getting into a Kama Sutra position for lovemaking isn’t all there is to it. What you bring to the act of love is wisdom, attention, skills, presence of mind/body/spirit, fun, playfulness, and desire. Merely assuming a position isn’t going to do it for most lovers. Learning and bringing to the experience the depth of all that is possible when you begin to truly open the door to magic.

Part 2, titled Amorous Advances, is all about sexual union. It's 10 chapters that give an in-depth discussion of kissing, various types of foreplay, orgasm, a list of sex positions, oral sex, anal sex, paraphernalia (non-mainstream sexual practices), and ménage à trois (just because it's a French phrase doesn't mean they invented it).

The other parts of the book discuss marriage, other relationships, and two chapters explore ways to improve sexual experiences (there's always room for improvement, right?).

I'd say this is definitely a different read than You on a Diet. Amazon sells The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra for only $17.25.