FitSugar

Seriously? An Exercise Pill?

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The fitness world just got a new prescription. Scientists have developed a pill that helps you burn calories without exercising one bit. So far only mice have benefited from this new exercise pill. It's tricked the rodents' muscles into thinking they've been working out, and their little bodies ended up burning calories without lifting a paw. It's also improved their fitness performance, helping mice run 68 percent longer and 70 percent farther than mice who exercised but didn't receive the drug. That's great news for those mousy couch potatoes who decide to get off their furry tushes and do a few laps around the cage.

Scientists aren't sure how this exercise pill called AICAR would work on the human population, but they're hoping a drug like this could help treat people suffering from obesity, diabetes, or other injuries and conditions that make it difficult to exercise regularly. While that is all well and good, it seems like the majority of people who'll want this magic pill will be able-bodied individuals looking for a way to skip out on their morning jog. Or it may be sought after by fitness fanatics and athletes who want to improve their endurance, or get an edge over their competition.

This pill, as amazing as it sounds, can only help to mimic aerobic activity, but a person will still need to strength train in order to tone their muscles. Also, besides burning calories, I can think of so many other reasons that exercise is necessary. It keeps your heart healthy, boosts your confidence, prevents depression and osteoporosis, and gives you time to yourself - you can't fulfill all that in a pill. So what do you think about this exercise drug? Would you take it?

Source

The Rise of Weight Watchers in the 1960s

Annie Scudder — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00:42 PDT

This week on Mad Men's "Dark Shadows" episode, Weight Watchers serves as a type of therapy for Betty Francis, who can definitely use it. Boredom, jealousy, and insecurity dominate Betty's life as a 1960s housewife on her second marriage, and she's turned to bags of Bugles to pass the time. Now determined to lose the weight, the former model turns to a new diet plan gaining popularity with women like her, Weight Watchers. Considering Betty's mother-in-law already tried to push diet pills on her, which contained amphetamines at the time, the group meetings are the responsible approach to weight loss for Betty Francis.

If you think Weight Watchers was a phenomenon of the '80s or remember Duchess Sara Ferguson as its spokeswoman in the '90s, you may have been surprised to see Betty attending meetings way back in the '60s. Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers, got the idea for the weight-loss method after struggling herself to lose and keep off weight with diets and pills. Jean, who had weighed as much as 214 pounds, lost 20 with a diet prescribed by the New York City Board of Health, but couldn't keep it off. So in 1961, she decided to hold meetings with other women facing the same issues with weight at her home in Queens, NY. By Oct. 1962, she had lost 72 pounds.

Thanks to her success, Jean's meetings took off, and she went from having them every week to multiple times a day. She soon recruited other group leaders, like the one we saw running Betty Francis's meetings, who had previously lost weight with the program and continued to keep it off. In 1963, Jean and her husband Marty incorporated the business, and by 1965, they exported the franchises to Canada, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, and Israel, with 102 in total. Changes would come in the '70s, with a psychologist coming on and exercise being introduced, and in 1978 the company was purchased for $100 million by another brand featured this season on Mad Men: H.J. Heinz.

In 2010, Weight Watcher's founder published her autobiography, The Jean Nidetch Story: An Autobiography, which came after her 1972 book The Story of Weight Watchers. The autobiography is described as the story of Jean's "personal struggles, rags-to-riches rise, and sunny, can-do attitude." If only Betty had a hint of a sunny disposition. Instead, her all-consuming jealousy is casting dark shadows.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Don't Skimp on the Cost of These Basics

Leta Shy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:06:20 PDT

When it comes to your exercise clothes, there are ways to splurge and ways to save. But even if you don't have unlimited funds to spend on an outfit you just use to sweat in, spend wisely and strategically by at least investing extra money in these three pieces.

Your sports bra: Besides the discomfort of having a bra that doesn't fit or support you, regularly exercising in the wrong sports bra can lead to breast damage (they're moving in a figure-eight pattern, after all!), so make sure your bra is getting the job done by finding a brand and style that gives you ample coverage and support, especially during high-impact exercises. Here's how to pick the right sports bra for you, whether you're small-chested or well-endowed.

Your shoes: Your feet are doing a lot of work while you exercise, especially if you run, so make sure you are getting the right pair to support your arches and ankles and giving your toes enough room to move. It's not just about investing in an expensive pair, however: you should buy your shoes based on your exercise - whether it's hiking, running, or a cardio class. For example, while you can run in any kind of shoe, buying a pair that's not made for running can lead to overuse injuries. To start, we've got a video on how to pick the right running shoe for you.

Your pants: It's not that less-expensive pairs of exercise pants are bad - they're cheap and usually fit well, and you can collect a bunch to keep them in rotation. It's just that cheaper pants tend to lose shape, pill, and fade much faster than a better-constructed, more expensive pair. Plus, quality exercise pants tend to have little details, like strategically placed venting or tiny pockets to hold your house keys, which can help your performance while you work out.

Where do you skimp or splurge when it comes to your exercise clothes?

The 3 Weight-Loss Strategies That Actually Work

Leta Shy — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:20:52 PDT

A recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that there are tried-and-true strategies to losing weight - and yes, they are exactly what you expect.

The report tracked 4,000 obese adults for one year to see what worked and what didn't on their quest to lose weight. After a year, 40 percent of those on the study had lost over five percent of their weight, and 20 percent had lost over 10 percent of their body weight.

So, which strategies worked and which ones didn't? Read on to find out the three that worked for the study participants and how you can employ the right weight-loss strategies in your own diet.

Have You Ever Taken Raspberry Ketone?

Leta Shy — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:20:43 PDT

If you're a Dr. Oz fan, you may have heard of the latest news in weight loss - raspberry ketone. The supplement, according to a weight-loss expert on The Dr. Oz Show, will help your body "think it's thin" and burn body fat in as little as five days of taking the supplement daily.

Raspberry ketone pills are derived from raspberries, which are known for having metabolism-boosting properties. According to Dr. Oz's show, raspberry ketone pills contain the concentrated benefits of 90 pounds of raspberries, so just 100 mg a day of the supplement will supposedly help your body burn fat.

So, does it work? Studies have found that it does (at least in mice!). One study found that mice fed a high-fat diet did not gain weight after regularly being given a dose of the supplement; another study found that raspberry ketone, in mice, increased the amount of adiponectin, a hormone that "naturally tricks your body into acting like it's thin," according to Dr. Oz.

In general, raspberry ketone pills are known to be safe, but of course finding the right, trustworthy brand is key (especially since dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA), and it's important to note that no long-term studies have been done in humans. And while Dr. Oz touts the benefits of raspberry ketone, even he is quick to note that taking the supplement isn't a substitute for diet and exercise, but rather a way to help "get you over the hump" when starting a weight-loss routine.

Are you buying the so-called benefits of raspberry ketone? Let us know if you've tried it and what you think in the comments!

Source: Flickr User Muffet

6 Unique Ways to Fend Off Illnesses and Avoid Medical Bills

Emily Co — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:16 PST

There are very few things that are worse than getting sick. Not only will you have pricey medical bills to pay, but you may also have to skip out on work. Fortunately, you can employ plenty of preventative methods to avoid falling ill. We've heard the usual "eat right and exercise" advice, so here are a couple of tactics that you may not have heard of:

Immune boosters in a pill: Although you've heard of the usual immune boosters like vegetables and fruits, there are a couple of holistic cures you might want to try. There's New Chapter's LifeShield Immunity ($20), which is a supplement made out of a combination of mycelium, fruiting bodies, spores, and extracellular compounds from tonic mushrooms.
Take ginseng with your vaccine: When you get a flu vaccine, try taking some ginseng with it so you'll bounce back from the effects of the vaccine. There was a study done in which only 13 percent of the group of participants who took ginseng with flu vaccinations caught colds vs. 37 percent of the placebo group.
Trick yourself psychologically: Don't discount old wives' remedies! Even if you don't have any scientific proof, perhaps the cures have some sort of psychological effect that results in physical effects. For example, a cure for cough that works for me is rubbing vapor rub over my feet and wearing socks at night. Another scientifically disproved treatment is Airborne, which somehow always fends off a cold when I feel one coming on.

Read on for more tips.

Luxe Beauty Gifts, Homemade Peppermint Patties, and a Holiday-Ready Top: The Best of PopSugarTV This Week!

Lindsay Miller — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:45:00 PST

This week in PopSugarTV, gift giving was on the brain! Bella shared ideas on the most luxurious beauty gifts as well as great presents under $25, and Yum gave us two homemade gift ideas with a recipe for peppermint patties and a recipe for homemade fudge. Meanwhile, Fab showed us how to make a festive, DIY sequin-collar top, revealed some tips on the best way to wear sequins and sparkles, and gave some great advice on removing sweater pillings. Fit brought us a great pre-run warmup and gave us three full-body exercises. Check out all the videos at the links above and visit PopSugarTV for even more!

Reader Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan on Your List (or You!)

Fit Community — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:19:31 PST

Need a fitness-related gift for fit-minded friends or relative? FitFabCities has you covered. She's rounded up her favorite gifts from foam rollers to iPads.

Okay, I’m willing to admit I might be a little weird. Every year for Christmas I ask for some sort of fitness thing. One year it was a BOSU ball, then next it was boxing gloves and last year it was kettlebells, and every December 26th I bring my new haul to the gym where I can’t wait to try it out. (Needless to say last year the 35 lb. kettlebell proved a little tricky. I think the holidays are a great time to ask for a few fitness things you’ve been eying but your practical side won’t let you buy for yourself. I’ve compiled a few of my holiday must haves that are sure to make your workouts more fun and give you an edge when it comes time for those New Year’s resolutions.

Valslides $30: Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel’s trainer Valerie Waters uses these to whip her clients into shape for big movie roles. I am obsessed with using Valsides for killer core exercises and sliding lunges that totally tighten up your butt and thighs. Plus you can use them in your living room or pack them and take them anywhere!

GymBoss Trainer $19.95: This is totally on my list this year. The Gymboss lets you set a repeating interval timer perfect for circuit training, intervals or running workouts (think 30 seconds on, one minute off). You don’t have to struggle to set your watch or look at it throughout your workout since Gymboss is small and clips onto your shirt.

Foam Roller $34: If you’ve ever had sore muscles you have to get one of these. It will open up your back and make those miles on your legs melt away. Simply a must for runners or, let’s be honest, anyone who uses a computer.

TRX Training System $199: Oh I LOVE this thing!!! BTW so do Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen and Superbowl MVP Drew Brees. This is a complete gym in a bag. You can do thousands of exercises, take it anywhere (all you need it a doorway or high place to anchor it), plus it’s only two pounds so you can totally pack it in your bag for business travel and vacations. This thing rocks. I can’t say enough good things about it so I think I’ll just have to devote a later post and video to my TRX devotion so you can get the full effect. Bottom line…if you’re OK spending a little more money you must get this thing. (Good news is you could probably give up your gym membership).

Lululemon Triumphant Tote $118: Not only is this bag waterproof but it’s also made of material that won’t cause your Lulu pants to pill when it rubs against them. Plus I think carrying a cute bag would totally be motivation to hit the gym, right? This bag even has a laptop pocket so it’s business and pleasure!

iPad 2 $499: All right, this is a big ticket item but if you’re thinking of one for Christmas I’ll tell you it is my workout secret. I load my favorite TV shows and movies onto the iPad and I actually look forward to my cardio sessions. Consider it a health care cost.

Happy shopping!!!

If you need some other gift ideas for those on your holiday list, check out these gift guides:

Women on the Run

Healthy Gifts That Won't Offend

Two-Wheelin' Friends

For the Active Man in Your Life

Gifts For the Outdoor Enthusiast

Sneezy, Stuffy, Runny: Natural Cold Remedies to Do Before Bed

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:27:03 PDT

If if you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and wash your hands a bazillion times a day, you can still find yourself reaching for the tissues and cough drops. Luckily cold symptoms don't last too long, but here are some ways to get relief from your ails without popping pills or swallowing gross liquid.

Heat and Water
Before slipping into bed, take a hot shower. Make sure the bathroom door is closed and the fan switched off so you can breathe in as much steam as possible. Take a washcloth, run it under the hot water, place it on your face and gently massage your sinuses to loosen up mucus. If you have a neti pot, use that in the shower to drain your nasal passages. If you're weirded out by flushing warm salt water through your nose, use an over-the-counter saline spray.

Keep reading to learn three other natural ways to get cold relief before hitting the hay.

The Best and Worst Flu Season Remedies

Prevention — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:12:53 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Find out which immune-boosting supplements really help — and which are just hype
By the Editors at Prevention

Flu shots, hand washing, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best ways to avoid cold and flu.

But sometimes even the most scrupulous germaphobes and healthy people get sick anyway. While certain natural remedies can help shorten symptoms — or prevent infection entirely — many people waste money on measures that are all hype. Here's how to know the difference so you can get well faster — without wasting a penny.

The Germiest Spots in Your Home

1. Omega-3 Pill
The Verdict: Help
Take it: All season long
If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes — cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria — according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

Keep reading for the rest of the list.