FitSugar

Being Thin Doesn't Mean You're Not Fat

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 14:30:00 PDT

I have talked about being TOFI (thin outside, fat inside) before, but it is back in the news more than ever right now.

New research has found that people who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat, even if they are otherwise slim.

They eat too many fatty, sugary foods - and exercise too little to work it off - but they are not eating enough to actually be fat. Scientists believe we naturally accumulate fat around the belly first, but at some point, the body may start storing it elsewhere.

There is an increased risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes with anyone who has increased fat, no matter where it is. This means that normal-weight persons who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for death than obese persons who are active and fit.

MRI's seem to be the only real way to tell if you're TOFI right now, so in order to keep your internal fat deposits at bay then a combination of diet and exercise is the way to go. If you just want to look thin, then maybe all you need to do is diet, but if you want to actually be healthy, then exercise has to be added as well.

Thanks to ccsugar for bringing this issue back to my attention.

Source

See the Outlandish Crowns Mulberry, Lanvin, and More Designed for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Fashionista — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:55:18 PDT

We're excited to bring you the best fashion finds, shopping stories, and style news from one of our favorite sites, Fashionista. Today, they're giving us a look at the crowns designed for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth has long been considered a woman of many hats–and she’ll soon be adding many more to her burgeoning collection of (mainly pastel) headwear.

In honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Harrods has tapped thirty-one of the biggest names in fashion–including Mulberry, Valentino, and Lanvin–to design revamped versions of the St. Edward’s Crown, the fancy-pants topper Elizabeth wore during her coronation way back in 1953.

And while there’s maybe a little too much crushed velvet for our taste, there’s also at least one fuzzy Jamiroquoi hat (Cavalli), one tiny Corgi (Paul Smith), two life size snakes (Bulgari and Boucheron), and what appears to be a crown made entirely of that caviar nail polish (Mulberry).

All the designs will be on display at Harrods in London starting today–but if, like us, you’ll be on the wrong side of the pond for all the jubilation, here are fourteen of the new crowns via Vogue UK. Cheers, m’dears.

Click over to Fashionista to see every piece.

Zoe Saldana on Her Style Guru, Not Being a "Pink Girl", and More at the Cosmo Latinas Launch

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:43:50 PDT

With her supporting family in tow, Zoe Saldana celebrated her cover on the first issue of Cosmopolitan Latinas last night at the Press Lounge in NYC looking gorgeous in a frothy mauve Elie Saab Couture dress, Bottega Veneta clutch, Brian Atwood pumps, and Irit Design jewels. Between her infectious smile and down-to-earth personality, it was hard not to fall in love with the beautiful actress. At the event, the actress let us in on her style secrets, not being a "pink girl," and why she loves being in her 30s:

On where her style comes from: "My stylist Petra Flannery, she is my must have. I work so hard and I am nonstop that sometimes taking time to think about what I am going to wear is overwhelming. She is one of my closest friends and her taste is exquisite. I literally just show up at her door and if I have time, I love just staying with her one entire afternoon and see what I've been missing, like all of the collections in Paris, New York, or London. Petra Flannery is my go-to, my must."
On her organic style process: "I will say no to certain things; I am not a pink girl. This [dress] took years for Petra to get me to wear - feminine, pretty colors, and pastel. I always want things to be hard and poignant and sometimes, you need these things because they mellow you out, you know? They really help you feel so great."
On three words that describe her style: "Unexpected, emotional, and weather-oriented."

See pictures of Zoe Saldana on the cover of Cosmopolitan Latinas, plus read what she has to say about her Oscars dress debate, and why she loves being in her 30s.

Cosmo For Latinas Cover Girl Zoe Saldana on the Perks of Being in Her 30s

Meghan Rooney — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:28:26 PDT

Zoe Saldana looked radiant in a lilac Elie Saab number at the Cosmopolitan for Latinas launch party last night in NYC. The 33-year-old Avatar star covers the premiere issue of the magazine, which hit newsstands on May 1. Zoe has another reason to celebrate, as she's also nominated for best Latino actor at the upcoming MTV Movie Awards for her work in Colombiana.

Zoe is currently wrapped up in three new projects, shooting two thrillers, Blood Ties and Out of the Furnace, as well as a Star Trek sequel. She may once again don the tight blue suit as Neytiri in Avatar 2, but for last night's launch, Zoe was all about being herself. Having split from boyfriend of 11 years Keith Britton in November of last year, Zoe reflected on her new life. She also spoke about body image, NYC, and how it feels to be in her 30s. Zoe said:

On following her heart: "The reality is, I have gotten this far because I don’t pay attention to anything but my heart and what I want to do. And if it's a hit today, or if it’s a miss tomorrow, seriously - no regrets because if I follow my heart I can never be wrong."
On body image: "I have always been on the slender side, and I am the only one in my family! Trust me, they hate that I can eat! And I am not saying because I got it like that, but the older you get, you to have to be more conscious about your body. Not the image things that might suffer, but it's internal - your heart with cholesterol and fats, or depriving your body of certain nutrients you need just because you want to look good."
On being inspired by her hometown: "There is nothing more beautiful than coming here to New York because this is my native home. Seeing the fashion in the streets, even going into the deli or the bodega, it makes me miss New York so much. But LA is like that too. I just love art, and I don’t care if it comes in a pair of sneakers, a painting, or a Givenchy dress."
On her 30s: "I am very happy now that in my early 30s the pressure of wanting to please others dissipates more and more. And now, it's about being me. There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past year. But I am happy that through all that, the biggest gift I have been receiving every day is getting to know myself not through anybody else and not through another entity or another organization that tells me who I am but me. And it feels kind of fu*king cool being in your 30s, I have to say."

Pigging Out on Easter Ham Alternatives

Sara Yoo — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:51:14 PDT

A spiral-cut ham seems right at home as the centerpiece of a hearty Easter meal. Of course, deliciously elegant substitutions exist, but why not have some fun with other kinds of cured or smoked pork? Ham, which comes from the hind thigh of the pig, is a cut revered internationally for its marbled fat content and complex flavors when cured, smoked, or cooked. So while picking up a prepared HoneyBaked ham is a perfectly acceptable option, consider giving these other options a try for some salty Easter goodness on a plate.

For some nontraditional Easter ham ideas, keep reading.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Flat Ab Moves Inspired by Yoga

Susi May — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:29:25 PDT

It takes more than crunches! Try these flat ab moves - Fitness
Four ways your co-workers are making you fat - Self
Supersweaty treadmill workout to get you over your midweek slump - Peanut Butter Fingers
How to kick your sugar cravings to the curb - Prevention
From the street: international running guide and tips - Lululemon
The pros and cons of video game fitness. And it's mostly pros! - Fitnessista
Tricks for a healthier blueberry muffin - Snack Girl

Could My Post-workout Snack Be Making Me Fat?

Shape — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:37:39 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to nutritional consultant Mike Roussell, PhD, for some help!

Q: Could my post-workout snack be making me fat? I've read that chocolate milk is a great post-workout drink, but is that still true if I just took a beginning Zumba class (or did a similar low-intensity workout)?

20 Foods That Can Ruin Your Workout

A: No, your post-workout snack is not making you fat. In fact, quite the opposite. The holy grail of nutrition is to be able to preferentially send the nutrients in your food toward your muscles for energy and repair and not to your fat cells. Exercise is the one thing that can do this. Exercise causes your muscles' cells to actively pull sugar out of your bloodstream and into your muscles with much more fervor than any other time of day.

Find out if chocolate milk makes the best recovery snack after the break!

Reasons to Not Eat So Much Red Meat

Leta Shy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:07:51 PDT

A strict vegetarian or vegan lifestyle isn't for everyone, but we can all benefit from eating less red meat. What's so bad about a few burgers, steaks, and bacon breakfasts, you ask? A lot, actually. Read on to find out why you shouldn't eat so much red meat.

You'll live longer: The number one reason to limit your red meat intake - you'll live longer. Studies have shown that regularly eating red and processed meats increases your risk of developing heart disease and cancer, in part because of the high saturated fat and cholesterol content. The newest study, released this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is the first to link the amount of red meat you eat to your actual risk of death. It found that replacing just one red meat dish a day with a healthier protein choice like fish, legumes, or poultry reduces your risk of dying early by seven to 19 percent.

More reasons to lay off the red meat after the break.

If You're Not Allergic, a Gluten-Free Diet Might Not Be Worth the Dough

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:47:59 PST

About one in 133 Americans suffers from the autoimmune disorder celiac disease: a severe gluten intolerance; it impedes the absorption of important nutrients like calcium and iron and can lead to abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and digestive tract cancers. The plethora of gluten-free products that are available - from pizza crust to bagels and pasta - is a lifesaver for those who have celiac disease. However, buying gluten-free products when you're nonceliac is a waste of money, according to an opinion paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Keep reading to find out who should splurge on gluten-free foods and who should save their dough.

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer

Prevention — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:08:59 PST

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

By Lisa Hoehn, Prevention

As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym - the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from 1997 to 2007. And while you may be proud of yourself for making it to the gym and squeezing in some cardio, taking a lackadaisical approach to your elliptical workout and casually spinning your legs while reading a magazine or watching TV isn't going to blast away those holiday cookies. Here, 10 mistakes you frequently make on the elliptical and how to fix them so you maximize calorie burn while adding fun to your ho-hum routine.

Top Workout Ideas For When the Gym Is Too Crowded

1. You’re too lazy to enter your information.
Most machines are calibrated for a 150-pound person - but personalizing your stats will help you get a more accurate calorie read. Aim to burn around 100 calories per 10 minutes, says Jennifer Cassetty, an exercise physiologist.

2. Your resistance is zero.
You might feel like a million bucks spinning at a mile a minute, but without resistance, you’re not going to see results, says Röbynn Europe, a personal trainer at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Make sure that you’re using enough resistance to push and pull through the stride. Then continue at a moderate pace until you feel like you’ve done all you can do. "You shouldn’t feel like you have even five minutes left in you when you step off," she says.

3. You're a sloucher.
Standing up straight helps to lengthen your abs, giving you a chance to engage your core and even work your upper body muscles, Cassetty says. Certified personal trainer Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS, president of Inspire Training Systems in New Jersey, recommends hopping on a machine with an upper body component so you can engage even more muscles - and blast more fat. Can't find a machine that lets you pump your arms? Let go: some research suggests that leaning on machine armrests during exercise reduces calorie burning.

How to Buy a Cardio Machine

4. Your machine sounds like it’s going to take off.
If you can hear the purr of the machine while you’re exercising, it means that you’re going too fast without enough resistance - which means you're not getting the most calorie burn out of your time, Cassetty says. Keeping a steady, moderate pace at a resistance that forces you to use your muscles will get, and keep, your heart rate up.

Learn four more fitness mistakes after the break.