FitSugar

Diet Tip: Order Half Sizes

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:00:00 PDT

I have recently been introduced to a new phenomenon while eating out that can help all of us keep to a healthy diet: half sizes.

I was eating out with my girlfriend and she orders the grilled glazed salmon but then adds, "Oh, and I'd like the half size please." Being that I did not see half sizes on the menu anywhere, I was shocked when the waiter answered, "Sure thing." I asked her about how she knew to order a half size and she told me that she always does - restaurants don't typically print half sizes on the menu, but unlike with kids meals many will serve them to you. Sneaky, eh?

I've been trying the half size theory out on my own and it's been hit or miss. I'd say about half of the restaurants I go to serve half sizes. Some just say they don't do half sizes, so you get the regular size meal and take half home, no big deal. But if they do, you're going to be saving yourself a lot of calories and not to mention cash while eating out. To me, it's worth asking.

Do you already order half sizes? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

Winter Running Woe: Numb Toes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:06 PST

If you'd rather skip a run than hit the treadmill, then there's no doubt you're continuing with your outdoor runs even through this brisk and snowy Winter weather. That doesn't mean you're not dealing with some discomfort along the way. I've given you some tips on how to beat burning lungs, but if it's your feet that are bothering you, here are some ways to avoid numb toes.

First, consider your socks. You can't get away with wearing the same thin, ankle-length wicking socks you sported in the warmer months. Splurge on some thicker knee-highs; socks made of wool will keep your feet warm and dry. Be sure your socks aren't too tight as that can cut off circulation (go up a size to be sure). You can also try compression socks to improve circulation in your feet and legs.

If you're already wearing thicker socks, you'll probably want to go up half a size in your sneaks to accommodate the extra fabric. If you don't, the snug fit of your shoe might be the sole cause of your tingling feeling. Choose sneakers designed for colder, wetter weather (think waterproof Gore-tex) to protect your toes from the snow. Tie your shoes slightly looser because as you warm up, your feet will swell, and too-tight laces can cause that annoying numb sensation.

Continue reading for more tips on avoiding numb feet.

What We're Sweet On: The Perfect Blowout Brush For Bobs

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

If you have bobbed hair, then you know what a pain finding a brush that actually works on your bangs, layers, etc. can be, and how long it can take to get it all to turn under the right way. Which is why this Vidal Sassoon thermal brush ($8) is so great. It's exactly the right size; the core diameter is an inch, and the bristles are about half that, so even short hair like bangs will wrap around it. Plus, it has a flat handle, which makes turning it and keeping your grip much easier (and more comfortable, too). And the titanium core means that drying is faster and your styling is more effective. It even comes with a teasing comb, so you can add volume at the crown when you're finished. Not bad for less than $10, and a sight less expensive than a salon blowout.

Is Pregnancy a Disability?

BabyCenter — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:16:40 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Stacie Lewis about considering pregnancy a disability.

Shortness of breath. Inability to lift heavy objects. Need for specific seating. Exhaustion. Months of nausea followed by months, possibly a year, off work. Are these the markers of a disability?

Sorry, ladies. You aren’t disabled. You are pregnant.

A month ago I pulled my car into a disabled space in front of a baby store. My daughter is disabled, and we have a badge. Next to me a man waited in his car, also in a disabled spot. No badge.

I knocked on his window. I tried - and probably did not succeed on any level - to not sound annoyed. “Sorry, but you are parking in a disabled spot.”

“But, my wife . . . ,” he sputtered, “she’s pregnant.” He gestured toward the baby store. “She’s inside, and I’m waiting for her.”

First of all: disabled spaces are not for “waiting” in. They are for ease of loading and unloading people in wheelchairs. They are for people, like my daughter, who suffer from seizures and might need be rushed back to the car and then the hospital, so need to be as close as possible to the car.

Let’s be clear, if his wife can stroll through a megababy store - it is literally the size of Kansas - she can walk the extra 10 feet across the lane to the nonhandicapped parking. She is not disabled.

However, as The Huffington Post reported this week, Jeannette Cox, a law professor at the University of Dayton in Ohio, thinks pregnancy is a disability. According to her research, the Americans With Disabilities Act should be expanded to include pregnant workers.

"The recent expansion of the ADA’s protected class now includes persons with minor temporary physical limitations comparable to pregnancy’s physical effects," said Cox. "This invites reexamination of the assumption pregnant workers may not use the ADA to obtain workplace accommodations."

To some extent, I agree with Cox. There is a culture of discrimination in America about pregnancy. I live in Britain and I am astounded by how little time and leeway American pregnant women are accorded. Policies and legislation that encourage women to work up until the moment of birth (and Cox encourages employers to consider that, with proper accommodation, women would be more able to do this, not less) and to return to work as swiftly as possible or else lose their job, are irresponsible in the extreme. Establishing breast-feeding, recovering from a C-section - these things all take time, and I doubt any health professional thinks only a few months, or as is the case for some women, a few weeks is long enough for mother or baby.

But a disability? Sorry. No.

Disability is a serious, life-altering complication. As such, the classification should be assigned only to those that need that level of protection and assistance. Return to my initial list of conditions: pregnant women do not require oxygen masks, care workers, wheelchairs, tube feeding - the symptoms of pregnancy are not such that a woman’s life is irrevocably and devastatingly changed long-term.

As soon as we start calling pregnancy a disability, disability itself is reduced to the challenge level of pregnancy. Never forget that - though exhausting and nauseating - pregnancy will pass. Feel grateful for that and the glimpse it gives you of a more challenging life.

Do you consider pregnancy a disability?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Mom jeans no more!
Did you get the name you wish?
Getting highlights gives me guilt
How to overcome the baby blues
Katherine Heigl on "failing" as a mom

Source: Flickr User elicash

A Reader Recipe: Pulled Turkey Chipotle Chili

Fit Community — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:46:28 PST

FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber shared this turkey chili recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

After Thanksgiving, my good friend, a girl who literally didn't know how to boil water, sent me this recipe, using her turkey leftovers. I loved the idea of pulled turkey and her fiberlicious add-ins, so had to feature it.

See the recipe after the break!

Shopping For Candy-Colored Glass Pendant Lamps

Elka Karl — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:02 PST

When Feldman Architecture updated a Victorian home, the kitchen benefitted from the addition of multi-colored, playfully bulbous hanging glass pendants. Similarly, any home would quickly move in a more modern and laid back direction if a few candy-colored pendant lamps were added to its ceilings.

You can actually source lamps like these through a local glassblower. Years ago I bought a rich, gold-hued handblown pendant lamp for an unbelievable $50 from an open studio art crawl event in Berkeley. This lamp has traveled with me through several moves, and remains a favorite home decor piece.

Of course, you can also look to larger retailers to find these glass pendants. I adore the ballooned shapes of the Cisco Glass Jug Lamp ($400, bottom row, middle). Each lamp contains unique variations, since it's blown by hand. Sizes range from eight to 16 inches wide.

In a perfect world, I'd splurge on half a dozen of these Niche Modern Mineret Pendants ($650 each, top row, left). Inspired by Moorish architecture, each handblown piece features a teardrop bottom and is made in New York.

Reminding me of the gold wrapper on a Werther's butterscotch candy, the Produzione Privata Acquamiki Pendant Lamp ($840, bottom row, left) is handmade from Murano glass, and would add a luxurious touch to a lady's dressing room or bathroom. To shop the rest of the look (including a much more economical option when you mouse on the bottom right hand photo), just click on each image!

8 Small Ways to Lose Big Pounds in 2012

Prevention — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:06:22 PST

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

Quadruple your weight loss by making one easy tweak to your routine per week
By Alyssa Shaffer

If your goal is to lose weight and exercise more, forget the deprivation diet and marathon workouts. New research shows that taking baby steps - not giant leaps -is the best way to get lasting results. A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that participants who made one small, potentially permanent change in their food choices and/or physical activity each week (such as drinking one fewer can of soda or walking five more minutes each day) lost more than twice as much belly fat, two and half more inches off their waistlines, and about four times more weight during a four-month program, compared with those who followed traditional calorie-restriction and physical-activity guidelines.

"When you focus on just a couple of small changes at a time, you begin to ingrain some healthy habits that last for a lifetime, rather than trying an all-or-nothing approach that more often than not fails because it's too hard to follow," says Lesley Lutes, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at East Carolina University. We've uncovered these simple steps (with proven results) to help you move more, eat less, and look and feel better than ever. Add just one or two a week to your regular routine and you can lose nearly three inches off your waistline and be about 10 pounds lighter come in a few months. Even better: Once these healthy habits become second nature, they'll benefit you for a lifetime.

1. Pick Up a Pen After Every Meal
Mindlessly munching on a bag of chips could result in easily polishing off the whole thing; write down how much you've eaten and you're more likely to practice portion control. Keeping a food log helps control extra calories in two ways: the combination of plain old reality check (I just ate 30 minutes ago!) and awareness that what you're putting in your mouth will soon be recorded for posterity. In a recent study, people who kept a food journal lost twice as much weight as those who didn't. When they combined it with a moderate diet and exercise plan, they lost an average of 13 pounds in 6 months. Journaling also gives you insight on your eating habits, says Lutes. Do you skip meals? Eat the same during the week as on the weekend? Binge when you're feeling stressed? "Knowing your routine helps you figure out what changes are right for you," she adds.

Avoid these 14 "health food" diet disasters.

2. Limit High-Fat Foods to One Per Week
Tag the high-fat/high-calorie foods that are typically your favorites (our top five: cookies, candy, ice cream, potato chips, and fries) and gradually downshift. "If you're eating six of these foods a week, try to go down to five," says Lutes. Each week, drop another until you're at no more than one or two; at the same time, add in a good-for-you choice like baby carrots, sautéed broccoli, oranges, and other fresh fruits and veggies.

Keep reading for more simple tip to help you lose big.

15 Salty Snacks Under 150 Calories

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:34:00 PST

If you're craving something salty, don't reach for greasy potato chips. Here are 15 low-calorie healthy snacks that are sure to satisfy your salty desires.

Four-ounce snack-size container of low-fat cottage cheese: 81 calories, 459 mg of sodium
Salted cashews (16 nuts): 147 calories, 77 mg of sodium
One and a half cups of edamame in pods: 150 calories, 45 mg of sodium
Two and a half cups of oil-popped popcorn: 138 calories, 243 mg of sodium
A quarter of an avocado (80 calories, 4 mg of sodium) topped with one tablespoon salted sunflower seeds (47 calories, 33 mg of sodium): 127 calories, 37 mg of sodium

Continue reading to see 10 more salty snacks under 150 calories.

How to Self-Motivate in 5 Steps

SavvySugar — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:15:05 PST

Whether or not the new year means a whole new you, following these tips for self-motivation can definitely lead to a more productive you in 2012. Tackle to-dos and breeze through your schedule with these simple steps:

Plan ahead. It seems like a no-brainer, but creating a to-do list for tomorrow's chores is a crucial part of productivity. Begin by writing a detailed list of individual tasks, then outline an agenda with specific time blocks assigned to each project. Next, decide which items you need to help you complete the list: a sheet of stamps to mail those holiday cards or a packed gym bag for your trainer session, for instance. Gather the necessities ahead of time to make sure your morning runs smoothly.
Be an early operator. Finish the most frustrating projects early in the morning to put yourself in productive mode and get the main stressors out of the way. Feeling accomplished acts as a major mood-booster, and positivity plays a key role in self-motivation.
Keep yourself accountable. To avoid that "I'll just do it tomorrow" moment, set up calendar alerts on your phone or laptop to remind you of your errands. Having to face the notification will force you to think twice. Likewise, tell a friend or family member what you plan to get done. That way, you'll feel a healthy dose of guilt if you consider copping out of your responsibilities.
Fashion a reward system. Gold stars, smiley face stickers, a manicure at your favorite salon - whatever it is, choose a gift for yourself that aligns with your larger goals. If you're hoping to save money, for example, then you probably shouldn't shell out for a new dress to reward yourself. Remember that the size and nature of the reward doesn't matter - simply knowing that there is a reward will be enough to keep you chugging along.
Multitask when you can. Sometimes trying to take care of too many things at once can backfire, resulting in poor performance or half-finished assignments. Still, there are certainly instances when you can add more to your plate, so try to combine jobs - like catching up with your best friend while grocery shopping - to save time and energy.