FitSugar

Cold Hands, Warm Heart?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:27:56 -0800

We all know that you can't "catch a cold from being cold," but feeling cold will affect your immune system, making it less able to protect itself from germs.

So whenever you're going to be in cold weather - make sure you're dressed right with long underwear, a warm coat, a hat, and mittens.

Check out these down mittens from Sierra Designs. They come in 6 different colors, and are filled with toasty warm insulating down. And for $25, they'll keep your fingers warm whether you're out snowshoeing or running to get the mail.

If you love those, you'll love these down slippers. Great for keeping your tootsies warm when hanging out at home.

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Fit Tip: Feeling Chilly? Do Some Push-Ups

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:57:12 -0800

I know for some of you the weather outside is snowy and cold, so your homes and offices may be on the chilly side. Instead of turning up the heat on your thermostat, warm up your body from the inside out. My favorite way is to get on the floor and do 20 push-ups, but you can choose any strength training move: squats, tricep dips, crunches, or lunges. Do enough to start feeling that lovely warm feeling. Not only will it warm you up, but it'll save you some money on your heat and give your brain a boost of energy as well.

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Cold Weather Tip: Warm up Indoors

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

I don't know about you but working out in the cold can sometimes be uncomfortable because it makes my muscles extra tight. What helps me is to warm up inside before heading out into the chilly weather.

Before a run or bike ride, I do about 5-10 minutes of light cardio inside. Jogging in place, jumping rope, or going up and down my stairs is just enough activity to loosen up my body and get my blood pumping. When I get outside, it's less of a shock to my system. If you'd rather do your warm-up exercises outside, a hot shower is another great way to loosen up your muscles before a cold weather workout.

Reasons to Try Mountain Biking

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:34 -0700

Road biking was my first taste of exercising on wheels. I loved the smooth terrain, how fast I could speed along, and how much distance I could cover, which made for great sightseeing. I never gave much thought to trying mountain biking, until my hubby persuaded me to go with him. I tell you, it's a completely different feeling riding on a woodsy trail than it is riding on the road. Here are some reasons you should give it a try.

It's the perfect time of year - the air is chilly so you won't overheat, there are no bugs, the ground is less muddy, and the foliage is gorgeous. It's a great way to celebrate Fall.
It's a major calorie burner. An hour of mountain biking burns over 500 calories.
You can forget about doing endless squats and lunges because mountain biking will effectively tone your thighs and booty. Since you have to pedal hard up steep hills, you really feel the burn in your lower body.
Once you purchase a mountain bike, cycling shoes, and a helmet, the trails are usually free, so it's a great way to stay fit during a time when we're all pinching pennies. Visit a bike shop and purchase an old model that stores are trying to get rid of, or check out Craigslist if you're on a budget.

To see why else you should start mountain biking read more.

It's a great alternative for people who say that running hurts their knees or back.
Since you're biking through narrow trails, over roots and rocks, dodging tree limbs and holes, you really tune your sense of balance. It also requires more awareness and quick thinking, so boredom just isn't an issue.
It's a great form of exercise you can do with a friend or whole group. Not only is there safety in numbers, but your pals can suggest new places to ride.
It's hardcore. I feel so tough after a ride in the woods because mountain biking is so challenging. I come home with scratches from branches, bruises from falling (since I'm a beginner), and mud on my legs. Aside from strengthening my body, my inner self feels stronger.

Tell me, have you ever tried mountain biking?

Back on Track: Grill Veggies For the Week

FitSugar — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:30:05 -0700

Summer weather is winding down, so it's time to grill as much as you can before it gets too chilly. Since I don't always have time to light up the grill after work, I like to grill up a bunch of veggies on Sunday so I'll have extra for the week. They taste great on their own, mixed with pasta, as a pizza topping, or in a sandwich.

All you have to do is wash an array of vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini. Then slice them so they're still in big chunks since they tend to shrink once they're cooked. Place the veggies in a big bowl and mix them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then pour them into a grill basket and periodically stir them while they cook. After about 40 minutes, you'll have savory, roasted veggies that melt in your mouth. Enjoy some for dinner and store the rest in the fridge in an airtight container.

The (New) Deal With Calorie-Burning Fat

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:16 -0700

After decades of believing that humans lose energy-producing "brown" fat after infancy, when we develop the shivering response, three new studies have found that it still exists in all adults. According to the New York Times,"brown fat basically acts like a furnace, consuming calories and generating heat." All three accounts are summarized in today's New England Journal of Medicine and reach the identical conclusion that brown fat is a calorie-burning machine when triggered by chilly temperatures between 61 and 66 degrees.

Most brown fat has been identified in the neck and collarbone areas, and if stimulated it could be an efficient way to burn the bad whitish-colored fat in the body. Here's what else the researchers discovered:

Leaner adults have much more brown fat than obese individuals.
Those with normal blood sugar levels have more brown fat than people with high blood sugar.
Women have a greater amount of this type of fat than men.
Younger people have more brown fat than older people.

This is exciting news on the obesity front, because if scientists can find a way to activate brown fat with a pill, it would be the first to focus on burning energy rather than suppressing appetite.

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When Is It Too Cold to Run Outdoors?

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Winter is in full force now, and I've got to give props to those of you who don't let a little cold weather prevent you from enjoying your outdoor runs. Depending on the climate you live in, or your personal threshold for chilly temps, I'm sure there's a point where you decide it's too cold to run outside. So tell me . . .

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The Cold Weather Fat Craving Connection

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Have you noticed chilly weather seems to turn many of us into something like a bear seeking fat before hibernating all Winter? I know the connection between cold weather and fatty foods isn't true for everyone, but many of you voted on this poll that you do indeed crave the fat when the temperature is low.

According to sports nutritionist Ryan Kohler temperatures below freezing can increase a person’s basic energy needs when compared to the amount of energy it takes to simply "exist" at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees F. In colder temperatures it takes more energy to keep the core temperature of the body stable. That makes sense, right?

Possibly a stronger factor in fatty-food craving is tradition and association - the mind is a powerful thing when it comes to cravings. After all, the Thanksgiving meal, which really seems to kick off the Winter season, at least mentally, is full of fatty, rich foods. Maybe it is the lack of sunlight combined with the cold that makes us crave comfort foods. Since fat, as an ingredient, tends to make food tastier and thereby more palatable. We associate fatty foods with cold weather.

I was craving fat like crazy, not that I live in a climate where temperatures get anywhere close to, let alone remain, below freezing. To combat my desire for ice cream I made sure to take my fish oil supplement daily and, anecdotally speaking, it totally helped. Do you take a fish oil supplement?

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Gear Review: Outdoor Research Winter Running Gloves

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Running outside is feeling pretty chilly these days, especially on my hands. I just picked up a pair of thin, lightweight running gloves that are perfect for keeping my fingers warm - the Women's PL 110 Gloves ($24) by Outdoor Research.

I love that these gloves have a thin fleece lining that's comfy and warm. When it's super cold out, I slide my fingers out of the finger holes and hold my hands in a fist. When my hands heat up, I slide my fingers in their respective slots and they cool off. The outside is similar to softshell material; it's smooth and contours to my hands. I also love that these gloves are tight all over, especially by my wrists, so no air can make its way into the glove to create a chilly draft. The only thing I don't like is that the fabric has started to pill on the palms of gloves. That's just cosmetic though, and I can deal since they do an excellent job keeping my hands toasty. If you don't want to spend a lot of dough, you can pick up a pair of the gloves in blue for only $10 at Gearx.com. What a deal!

Winterize Your Workouts: Preventing Frostbite

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

If you refuse to give up your outdoors runs because it's cold, or if you love to ski, board, or snowshoe, then you need to take some precautions to protect your skin from the bitter temperatures. Frostbite happens when your skin and body tissues are exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time. Your fingers, toes, nose, and ears are the most susceptible. Aside from causing pain, you could suffer permanent damage to frostbitten body parts. The worst case scenario is that if the blood vessels die, amputation may be necessary.

Now that I have your undivided attention, let me share some tips on keeping your body protected from the elements:

Stay covered. Wear a hat or headband to protect your ears, warm mittens for your hands, warm socks and waterproof shoes for your feet, and a scarf or mask around your face to protect your nose. You may look like the abominable snowman, but at least your skin will be safe.
Wear layers. The inner layer should be made of a wicking material such as polypropylene or merino wool. The outer layer should be loose and waterproof to keep your body heat trapped in and prevent your clothes from getting damp.
Hand warmers are perfect if you'll be out for a few hours. You can place them in your boots or gloves, but I also prefer keeping a set in my jacket pockets so I can hold them over my ears or face if they get too chilly.

I have two more tips, so read more.

Don't drink alcohol before heading outside. It may prevent your body from realizing it's getting too cold.
Be on the lookout for initial symptoms of frostbite. You skin may turn red, blue, or white, and you may feel pain. If this happens, get out of the cold as soon as possible and warm up.

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