FitSugar

Which Popular US Chain Restaurant Dish Has More Calories?

Heather Dale — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:14:24 PDT

They tempt our tastebuds and add inches to our waistlines. As Sheryl Crow would say, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." Unfortunately this isn't the case with these popular dishes from various chain restaurants across the US. Take this quiz to see what the results are - I promise some shockers!

Source: Flickr User tedeytan

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No Access to a Lake or Pool? No Problem Thanks to These Toys

Heather Dale — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:12:26 PDT

Living in a landlocked city when the temps are through the roof isn't the most appealing way to spend your Summer. Add kids to the mix and you'll find yourself on a first-name basis with the staff at the local pool! But what happens if you don't have access to a public pool, or lake, or ocean, or anything else that can instantly cool you (I mean, your kids) off? If you have a plot of grass and a garden hose, the following water-friendly devices will turn up the fun factor in any backyard on a hot Summer's day.

Source: Flickr User st501351

Which Cool Summer Treat Contains More Calories?

Heather Dale — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:12:17 PDT

If you had to pick a handful of reasons why you love Summer, would one of them include all of the cold sweet treats you get to enjoy on a hot Summer's day? It's definitely one of my reasons, and although there are lots of delicious Summer treats to choose from, I've pitted some of my favorite sweet snacks against one another to see which ones are guilty of containing the most calories. Ready, set, go!

Take the Quiz

Yummy Links: From Ramen to Quinoa

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:00:23 PDT

30 amazing and easy ways to upgrade ramen noodles. - Serious Eats
The author of Modernist Cuisine attempts to translate his food to the masses on The Today Show. - Grub Street NY
20 recipes for vegan comfort food. - Chow
Bill Buford's book Heat about working the line in Mario Batali's kitchens is becoming a movie. - Eater
How Jay-Z changed one Champagne house forever. - The Atlantic
Fast and easy dinner idea: salmon with couscous. - The Kitchn
San Jose, CA, is the latest city to get its very own food truck festival. - The Feast SF
What's so great about quinoa anyway? - Huffington Post Food

Is Central Heat Making Us Fat?

Kristen Hawley — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:30:52 PST

Winter weight gain can happen to the best of us, but new research out of England says that turning up the heat indoors can lead to weight gain. Apparently, temperatures in the low 60s, while still comfortable, causes a substance in our bodies called brown fat to burn, generating heat and burning calories.

Research was conducted by a team of professionals including health psychologists, biologists, and indoor-environment specialists. Apparently, since central heat became popular in the 1960s, indoor temperatures in both the US and the UK have gotten warmer; at the same time obesity rates have been climbing as well. Additionally, researchers found that due to the efficiency of modern heating systems, most people heat their entire house to one temperature, whereas in the past the bedrooms tended to be slightly colder.

Not being exposed to the cold, researchers say, means our bodies don't produce enough of this brown fat, which in turn is unable to burn calories. They also maintain that cold exposure or non-exposure is not a major contributing factor to obesity; exercise and food consumption still take top honors in that category. But at least one medical professional does maintain that lowering the temperature indoors may have a weight-reduction effect over time.

Next time you're feeling chilly, don't reach for the thermostat. Do some push-ups instead!

The Heat Is On! Saunas or Steam Rooms

Michele Bell — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:00:52 PST

One of the top reasons I belong to my gym is for the steam room. Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I head over to the facility and strip down to a towel for a 15-minute breather. While I prefer the misty heated room, others prefer the drier sauna, though they both tend to provide the same benefits. Still, there are differences between the two types of steam baths.

For starters, saunas are much hotter than their wetter counterparts. A room with wooden planks and a small oven, saunas are very hot - temperatures ranging between 140-212 degrees F with a low level of humidity (ranging from five to 30 percent). The only steam you will see in a sauna is the result of pouring water over the oven or the steam rising from your own skin. Steam rooms, on the other hand, are still very hot at 110-115 degrees F with a humidity level of 100 percent. The steam in these rooms is pumped in through a vent and often causes a fog so thick you can hardly see your hand in front of you.

Curious to know more about the benefits and warnings?

Kerri Walsh: Work Out and Beat the Heat

Guest Writer — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:00:20 PDT

The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball. Los Angeles has been been experiencing an early Autumn heat wave prompting Kerri to share her tips for working out in the heat.

Hydration through out the day is huge! Hydrating just during your workout is not enough. I've been using the G series from Gatorade. They have a pre-workout drink, during workout drink, and post-workout recovery drink. The motto is "prepare, perform, and recover." This is a great mantra to keep in mind, especially when the elements are so grueling on your body. If you are not prepared, you cannot work out intensely. If you do not perform, you cannot get results, and if you can't do your best to recover, you won't get the benefits of your hard work.

When it is so hot I will also curtail my warm up, because your body warms up faster. I can put that extra energy into my workout and be more effective with my time that way. Generally I will limit my work out time if the heat starts to get to me and work hard for 30 minutes instead of an hour. Sometimes I will also just adjust my intensity, but still work out as long.

It is also important to keep in mind what you are wearing. You want your body to be able to breathe and you do not want to be bogged down with sweat. I also wear a visor sometimes, because it helps keep the sweat out of my eyes.

Be sure to catch up and read all of Kerri's great posts on FitSugar!

Beat the Heat: Know the Facts Before Cooling Off

babysugar — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Grab your swimsuit and head to the pool! There's a heat wave gripping much of the nation this week and after a few days of the air-conditioned indoors, many parents are looking for outdoor activities that will keep kids cool. Before heading outside, take this quiz and see what you know about how children handle the heat.

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Don't Melt! Tips For Exercising in the Heat

FitSugar — Fri, 28 May 2010 03:00:13 PDT

Where I live, Spring has quickly sprung into Summer weather, with sunshiny days and temperatures steadily climbing through the 80s into the 90s. The warm weather motivates me to get outside and exercise, but I'll tell you, the sudden high temps mixed with humidity are kicking my butt. Here are some tips to make working out in the heat safe and more bearable.

Stay hydrated. Drink water before, during, and after your workout to avoid dehydration. Bring along a water bottle, water belt, or hydration pack and sip about four to eight ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
Ease into hot outdoor workouts, and don't push yourself too hard. Exercise for less time and at a lower intensity, then gradually build up to longer, harder workouts. Listen to your body, and don't be afraid to take breaks if you need to.
Alter your schedule to run during cooler times of the day. Early mornings or late evenings tend to be the best.
Run in shady places like the woods, or breezy places like the beach or along a lake.

Want to know what else you should do? Then

Open House: Sleeping Comfortably When It's Scorching Hot

CasaSugar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:30:11 PDT

While I love hot Summer days, I'm not so fond of uncomfortable, muggy, steaming-hot Summer nights. I'm a big fan of a good night's rest, thank you very much, and I get pretty irritated when soaring temperatures deprive me my seven solid hours. Since I don't have air conditioning at my house, when the temperatures climb, I have to be innovative.

The first thing I always do, when I know it's going to be a scorcher, is immediately close all of my blinds and curtains to block out the sun. That's half the battle right there. By the time evening rolls around, if my bedroom is still stuffy, I turn on a fan to get the air circulating. And if I'm still hot when bedtime rolls around, I pull out a sheet, spritz it with water, and then lay it on top of my bedding and sleep underneath the slightly damp sheet.

What do you do to sleep comfortably in the height of Summer? Do you ever sleep outside if your house is too hot? Do you sleep in the buff? Do you have a super-smart fan trick to tell us about? Share it in the comments!