FitSugar

Most Dangerous States for Driving This Summer

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:15:00 -0700

The national Center for Excellence in Rural Safety (CERS) at the University of Minnesota recently released a list of the states where Americans are more likely to die in a traffic crash on a rural road. To see where your state falls in the top 15 most dangerous states to drive, read more

1.) Maine
2.) North Dakota
3.) South Dakota
4.) Iowa
4.) Vermont
5.) Montana
6.) Wyoming
7.) South Carolina
8.) Mississippi
9.) Arkansas
10.) West Virginia
11.) Kansas
12.) Nebraska
13.) New Hampshire
13.) Kentucky
13.) Idaho
14.) Oklahoma
15.) Missouri
15.) Minnesota

...And no, I am not losing my mind. There are double numbers because some states tied.

So please be extra careful this summer if you're going to be taking a trip in the car and buckle-up too!

Fittingly Mad: We ALL Need to Share the Road

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I lived without a car for years. I biked to work. I biked to parties. I biked to the grocery store. I biked everywhere. After almost getting door-ed (when the person in the driver’s seat of a parked car opens his/her door just as a biker is coming to pass) repeatedly I became a very defensive biker.

The best way to protect myself was to be super aware of my surrounding as I rode the busy city streets. I used my voice a lot, even screamed so drivers would notice me. I took bike routes whenever possible and avoided traffic heavy streets whenever possible, which I found relatively easy to do. I thought the public service announcements that read “Start Seeing Bicycles” were great and I still love them. Drivers need to deal with the fact that cyclist are around and share the road, use their turn signals, hang up their phones, pay attention to the road and look for bikers before opening their car doors. I definitely got a little hot under the helmet when cars didn’t give me the right of way at four way stops…hello driver you will get to wherever you are going faster than I will reach my destination since I am just pedaling and you are merely pressing the gas pedal.

Now, I own a car but live in a bike friendly town, with lot of “Bicycle Boulevards.” Streets full of pretty purple signs guide cyclists through the town on different routes. These signs are cheerful reminders for drivers to share the road. The streets are painted with an image of a biker (wearing a helmet of course) just to remind those in cars to share the road. These dedicated streets are plentiful. Yet, I still see cyclists on streets with heavy traffic, biking at night, in dark clothes with no light, on a street without a bike lane, when a street with a bike lane, a more quiet street is one block away. I want to yell at them SAFETY is one block away!!! Wear a helmet? Where’s your light?

My driver self knows I need to share the road, and stay calm and keep my crazy mother voice to myself. But the cyclist in me wants these bikers to share the road too, to bike defensively, to use the roads dedicated for biking. I think cars and bikes can get along. We all just need to stay aware of one another. We all need to share the road.

Fit Tip: Wash Your Own Car

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

If you're anything like me, the only time your car gets washed is if you're at a gas station and notice there is a car wash available. However, you (and I) might want to think about getting out the old hose and buckets to wash the car by hand. Yup, I'm talkin' 'bout the car wash.

Not only is it a fun thing to do with the family, washing your car by hand burns about 17% more calories than using a drive through car wash. A 150 pound person can burn nearly 300 calories simply by washing his or her car by hand-plus you'll save a few bucks too! So take advantage of the last few nice days left of this year and work and work.

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Give Your Car a Health Makeover

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Nothing is worse than being stuck in your car after work during rush hour. This is precious time that can really end up being a buzz kill to any after work health endeavors. So in an effort to health proof your car, here are some "dos and don'ts" when giving your car a healthy makeover:

DO: Have a new container of water with you -- I have my Sigg with me everywhere I go.
DON'T: Keep an open bottle of water in the car -- This can be a breeding ground for all sorts of germs and not to mention the fact that bottled water is bad for the environment.
DO: Keep a bag or container of nuts (or even an energy bar if it's not too hot) in the glove compartment.
DON'T: Keep candy bars, or any other kind of junk food you'll be tempted to splurge on while sitting in traffic.
DO: Keep your gym clothes in the trunk, ready to go so you can head straight to the gym.
DON'T: Plan on going home first to get your gear -- Think about it: An hour in traffic, then home, then back out to the gym... I don't think so.
DO: Keep some music in you car that is a sure way to pump you up.
DON'T: Sit there in silence (or listen to slow music) -- You'd be amazed how easy you can talk yourself out of going to the gym while sitting in an hour of traffic.
(*For those trying to quit smoking)
DO: Keep a pack of sugar free gum or hard candy in the car.
DON'T: Keep any cigarettes in your car, ever!

Source

Commuter Check: Car Windows

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Commuting to work can not only drain you, but it can be bad for your health - specifically your lungs. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that car commuters in high-traffic cities are exposed to up to almost half the air pollutants they encounter in one day during their drive to work, which only takes up six percent of their day. Because of this, it is recommended if you commute via car that you keep your windows rolled up and use the recirculating air feature. This will help minimize your exposure to pollution. A better solution would be to take mass transit (a train is better than a bus) or bike to work on streets with less traffic. How do you get to work?

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Could the Low-Car Diet Be For You?

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0800

There are many reason to rejoice for the low cost of gas, but our nation's overall health may not be one of them. One of the few benefits of shelling out big bucks at the gas pump was that people starting walking and biking more, as well as taking mass transit, which ultimately means walking more. This added exercise was not only good for the planet, but good for the waistline, too.

A recent study found a correlation between rates of "active transportation" - code for "not driving an automobile" - and obesity rates. Countries like Sweden, Netherlands, and Latvia have high rates of commuters, over 50 percent, who walk, bike, or use mass transit. These countries also have low obesity rates. Sweden's is only 9 percent. To contrast, some US states have obesity rates as higher than 30 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 19 percent. It is not surprising that Europeans "walk three times as far and cycle five times as far as Americans."

Zip Car, an eco-minded urban car rental company serving 12 US cities, has created the Low-Car Diet Challenge. It asks that you put your car keys away for 30 days and use some "active transportation" to get yourself around. By giving up driving for a month, people on the "low-car diet" increased the miles they walked by 85 percent and the miles they biked by 136 percent. With stats like that we could rival some of those European countries. This might not be the easiest thing to do in the Winter months, but it is a great idea. Maybe a possible New Year's resolution?

So I am curious . . .

Source

How Germy Is Your Car?

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:30:00 -0700

I like to think of my car as a continuation of my home, my private sanctuary on wheels. Now I know there are germs in my home, I have two little ~~germ factories~~ children running around my house. For some reason though, I thought my car would be germ free. Not true, in fact, moms have the germiest vehicles around.
You would think the steering wheel would harbor the most bacteria, since your hands are on it all the time. But the dashboard is one of the leading "hot" spots. Not only is it the warmest place in the car, air vents draw bacteria via the air circulation system. Food and beverages spill and stains may look harmless but they are a haven for bacteria.

Single men have the cleanest cars, while married folks and moms have the "hottest" cars, geography does play a part. Cars in hot humid climates like Florida are likely to contain 10 times as much bacteria as cars in dry areas like Arizona.

Regardless of your geographic location or marriage status, keep some antibacterial wipes in your glove box to clean up your spills. As a mom, I must say baby wipes are great for dusting the dash.

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Road Trip Health: Fending Off Car Sickness

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're planning to squeeze one last road trip out of Summer, you might want to read up on car sickness. Motion sickness is actually quite common; about one third of the population experiences symptoms in relatively mild circumstances, like being on a boat in calm water. In fact, the word nausea means seasick in Greek. Motion sickness is basically a disagreement between your eyes and your inner ear. The inner ear recognizes motion, but the eyes don't, or vice versa, jumbling the brain and nausea ensues. No fun for any passenger to endure.

For some tips for fending off car sickness, read more.

Don't look down: Keeping your focus on the horizon can definitely help keep your eyes and your inner ear in agreement. If you happen to be traveling with little ones, play the "I spy" game to keep them looking up and at the horizon. Watching DVDs will increase the confusion between senses, so don't pull out movies to entertain the wee ones. Try a book on tape instead.
Breathe some fresh air: Roll down the windows if it is not too hot. The fresh air can be soothing. Heat makes the symptoms worse, so do run the AC if you can.
Food and hunger: When road tripping your should avoid spicy and greasy foods. However, hunger can make the symptoms of nausea worse. Keep a mild snack like crackers around for munching to keep the unsettled stomach at bay. Clear sodas and sparkling water can help too.
Drive: Take over the wheel if you are prone to motion sickness. When you drive all your senses work together avoiding the disconnect between your eyes and ears.
Get out of the Car: Walking on firm ground will certainly quiet the symptoms. Take stops as frequently as you can.
Medicine: You can try an over the counter medication, like Dramamine, or an alternative medicine treatment like the PSI Band that works the anti-nausea pressure point.

If you are prone to car sickness please share how you prevent it in the comment section below. Happy travels!

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Travel Tips: 3 Car Exercises For Road Tripping

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

For the most popular travel holiday of the year, Thanksgiving finds many of us stressed out in airports or on long road trips. But just because you're stuck in a car doesn't mean you should completely neglect your body. I have a few easy car exercises so you can work your body while still focusing on the road.

Steering wheel isometrics: Using simple isometric exercises, you can work your arms. Start with your hands at nine and three on the steering wheel (just like driver's ed class) and press inward with your arms. Hold for five counts, but keep the tension out of your neck. Repeat four times, and then move your hands to 10 and two and repeat. Changing positions of your hands will work different muscle groups.
Belly vacuums: This is a great way to work your abs at traffic lights or waiting out a traffic jam. On an exhale simply pull your abs toward your spine without letting your back round. Keep the abs engaged and focus on breathing into the back of your ribs for three to five breaths.
Glute winks: Your bum can get sore and numb from sitting for so long. This exercise not only works the glutes a bit, it also gets the circulation going once again and can relieve low back pain, too. Simply squeeze your right glute for three to five seconds, release it and switch sides. Repeat for a total of 10 times.

Happy, safe, and fit travels to you all.

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Do Long Car Rides Hurt Your Back?

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Do you have a long commute and your back is often killing you by the time you get there? It might have something to do with where and how you're sitting.

Car seat cushions are often uncomfortable and unadjustable. They don't have enough cushion to support the arch in your lower back (lumbar), which will make the muscles in your back and neck ache.

You might want to try a Klass Vaki Back Support Cushion. It can give you the added lumbar support you need.

It helps to protect and relax the muscles in your lower back, when you have to sit for an extended period of time. It also encourages proper posture and keeps the spine in its natural alignment with the extra padding on the sides.

Fit's Tips: You can use it in the car, at the office, and at home - you can even take it to the movies. It's not strapped in, so it can be easily removed and placed on a different seat. For $92, this might be just what your back needs.