FitSugar

A Valentine's Menu That Won't Break the Scale

partysugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:00:53 PST

Recently I received a personal message from a reader asking for advice on what to cook her boyfriend for Valentine's Day. They've been working out together and eating healthy, so she was looking for a menu that wouldn't ruin their diet. Here, I've come up with a decadent dinner menu that won't pack on pounds. To start, serve an appetizer of the freshest raw oysters (if you dislike oysters, opt for shrimp cocktail) with a glass of sparkling wine. For the main course, pair a huge green salad alongside classic cheese fondue. Select dippers that are diet-friendly like crudités, wheat bread croutons, and lean proteins. Instead of indulging in a calorie-packed dessert, splurge on a high-quality bar of dark chocolate and enjoy with a bottle of port.

What menu would you advise for a health-conscious couple? To check out these recipes,

Can You Be Both Overweight and Fit?

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 PDT

When it comes to heart problems, it has been assumed that it's OK to be a bit overweight as long as you exercise regularly. New research is challenging this notion and this new research shows that being active can decrease but not eliminate your risk of heart problems. A new study that followed 39,000 women over 11 years discovered that weight actually plays a significant role in heart health.

The women participating in the study were assessed by their level of activity as well as their Body Mass Index (BMI). Women who exercised moderately (brisk walking or jogging) for 30 minutes most days of the week were considered active, and those who exercised less were categorized as inactive. To see the results of the study,

read more. MSNBC reports the study's findings like this:

Compared with normal-weight active women, the risk for developing heart disease was 54 percent higher in overweight active women and 87 percent higher in obese active women. By contrast, it was 88 percent higher in overweight inactive women; and 2½ times greater in obese inactive women.

The study shows exercise helps overweight women decrease their risk of developing heart disease, but the extra weight still contributes to their overall risk. Maintaining a healthy weight is important since two out of five women over the age of 50 will have heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems, it's good to start thinking about this now. Exercising and eating a healthy diet, essentially making important lifestyle changes will help your heart and your overall health. Fit's Tips: Thin doesn't necessarily equal healthy either. If you are thin and have a low BMI but also smoke, are inactive, or eat foods high in saturated fat, you may be increasing your risk for heart problems as well. Source

When are You MORE Fit?

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:30:00 PDT

I know we've all got our minds on being fit, but I have to say, before I was in a committed relationship, I had much more time to focus on taking care of myself. I could go to health food stores, cook myself wholesome meals, and exercise whenever I wanted.

When I first started dating my now husband, I hate to admit it, but my fitness and health routine flew out the window. We were spending so much time together that I skipped working out, and spent more time eating out. I was so distracted with being in love that I lost my motivation.

Source

After a couple months we both realized that our new habits of not moving and ordering take-out were catching up with us, and together we decided to get fit and healthy again. I brought him to my favorite yoga class, and he got me into riding my bike again.

So what about you? Are you more fit when you're single or in a relationship?

Do You Struggle With Finding Clothes That Fit Properly?

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:34:33 PDT

Source

Running: Treat Your Feet Right With Quality Sneakers

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:15:00 PDT

One of the reasons I love running is that it really requires no special gear. You just need a body and a desire to run. Then again, you might not need a racquet or clubs to go for a good jog, but I would suggest quality running shoes.

If you are taking up running, good quality running shoes can seriously make this habit stick. Old shoes, tennis shoes, cheap shoes often don't provide enough cushion to protect your feet, ankles, and knees which can lead to injuries and prevent you from learning to love running. Since shoes are really the only important gear needed for running, I wouldn't skimp on them. You don't need to pay out the nose for some newfangled shoe, but generally what you pay for is what you get. Expect to pay around $100. Which may sound like a lot, but can you really put a price on your knees? Plus, maybe the guilt of an expensive gear purchase will motivate you to run.

Look for a well cushioned shoe that fits your foot, matches your foot type and gait pattern. The best place to start this endeavor is a running store since they tend to employ people obsessed with running. Therefore they should be able to help you figure out your gait and point you toward the shoe for you. The American Council on Exercise recommends shoes with greater shock absorption for runners with high arches, which may make you more prone to ankle sprains. On the other hand (or foot I could say), if you have low arches look for a shoe with greater support and heel control. Here is a list of running shoes rated by the The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. It should help you figure out what brands could be good for your needs.

Fit's Tip: Buy a shoe that’s as wide as possible across the forefoot without slipping in the heel.

Source

Live Chat in 30 Minutes @ Noon PST

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:25:00 PST

Since the Oscars are over, how about we chat about something else (even though I'll never stop talking about how amazing Pilobolus was).

I thought you might want to talk about models and how thin they are, since last week was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

We could also talk about cleaning your cans, sweating, your favorite sneakers, what reasons you have for not working out, or anything else that's on your mind.

Join me and other FitSugar readers in the chat room every Monday at noon PST - that's 3 pm for all you east coast folks.

Low Resting Heart Rate?

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:00:00 PST

Have you noticed that since working out your resting heart rate is lower than it was? This is no cause for alarm as most athletes (yup, you're an athlete now) generally have low heart rates.

Runner's World gives us this analogy:

...consider a bricklayer lifting bricks. If his arm muscles are strong from lifting lots of bricks, he can move 10 bricks with each lift rather than just two or three. Similarly, if your heart muscle is strong thanks to running, it has a higher stroke volume, which means that it can pump more blood with each beat than an untrained heart. It can also pump the same amount of blood in a minute using fewer beats.

The average resting heart rate of adults is 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) while athletes are around 50-60 bpm. Other numbers to know: The infant/neonatal rate of heartbeat is 130-150 bpm, the toddler's is 100–130 bpm, the older child's is 90–110 bpm and the adolescent's is 80–100 bpm.

The worry would (and should) come in when a resting heart rate is lower than 30. However, even that can be completely normal (and usually is) if the athlete is totally healthy. The slow heart rate usually just indicates a strong heart. If you are concerned, it never hurts to consult a physician when dealing with your health.

Fit's Tip: The best time to determine your resting heart rate is when you first awaken in the morning or after sitting down and relaxing for at least 5 minutes. Get a heart rate monitor to monitor your heart while working out. Don't know your target heart rate? Check out the Fit Calculator to find out!

Working Out But Still Not Fit?

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:05:00 PST

Many people have asked if they are considered healthy if they work out regularly even though they are still overweight.

To clarify, you can be overweight and still be fit. Problems come into play when the cause of being overweight is due to fat and not muscle. If you exercise and your extra weight is fat, you are at increased risk of having Type 2 diabetes, cancer and strokes.

Definitely do not get discouraged and stop exercising. Overweight folks are still benefiting from working out, they just need to start focusing on actually losing weight for good. This means a healthy diet should also be incorporated with any exercise programs.

Fit's Tip: Don't let the scale rule your life. Thin people can still be at risk for heart disease, especially if they smoke or eat a diet high in saturated fats.

Sweaty and So in Love: Celebrity Couples Who Work Out Together

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:13:14 PST

The couple that plays together, stays together, and the same seems to be true for these celebrity duos who work out together. Keeping fit is a high priority in Hollywood, and these celebrities definitely know how to go from significant other to workout buddy. Take a look at these couples that love to sweat as a pair, whether it's at the gym, on the hills, or on the road!

Sources: INFDaily.com and Bauer-Griffin Online

Jeans That Have a Fit For Every Shape

Sponsor — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

Jessie Adore, the creative genius behind Adore Daily, is not afraid to be bold. This once-shy girl found her confidence through fashion blogging. She loves the thrill of the hunt, whether it's digging up vintage treasures or finding a pair of jeans that fit just right. For Jessie, it's all about embracing her curves.

With this in mind, Jessie snagged three Levi's® Curve ID jeans, which fit perfectly thanks to the ingenious fit system. With four custom fits, the Levi's® Curve ID system has a range of Curves, so whether you've got bold curves like Jessie or a different set of curves, Levi's® has you covered.

Check out the video below to see how Jessie styles her Levi's® haul, and then head to Levi.com to take a quick quiz to find your perfect fit.