FitSugar

Make the Most of Your Metabolism

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Most of what controls your metabolism is not under your control, some folks have fast metabolisms and others have slow ones. Also, as we age our metabolism slows down. Scientists have estimated that metabolism slows about 5 percent per decade, beginning at age 40 as we lose muscle mass and increase body fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so when you lose muscle mass your caloric needs decrease. Luckily you are not completely at the mercy of your genetics - There are a few things you can do to keep your metabolism up.

Basically, metabolism is the total of all body processes that burn calories - your basal metabolic rate (calories burned by simply being alive) plus your activity factor since we all know that exercise burns calories.

The basal metabolic rate includes the energy we need for body processes, including digestion. About 10 percent of our calories are used to process the food we eat. This phenomenon, known as the thermic effect of food, is influenced by how much, how often and what we eat. In addition, food can directly affect metabolism by altering the way the body functions, which changes the amount of energy it needs.

According to Joy Bauer, nutritionist and author of the book Food Cures, there are ways to maximize your metabolism. Curious to know what they are? Then

Eat at least 1,000 calories per day (I would say 1,200 calories, myself). Although it is generally true that eating a low-calorie diet will help you take off weight, if you eat too few calories, your metabolism will get slower and slower as it tries to conserve energy. As your metabolism crashes, the weight you take off will most likely creep back on over time. Plus, you'll be more likely to binge on junk food if you reduce your calories by too much.
Eat every four to five hours. A regular meal schedule helps keep your body working to digest and absorb foods. Between breakfast and bed, aim to eat a meal or snack every four to five hours. Try to eat breakfast within 90 minutes of rising - People who regularly eat a healthy breakfast are more likely to control their weight. If you wait to eat until you're ravenous, you're more likely to overeat later in the day. Also, breakfast helps fire up your metabolism after a full night on a slow simmer.
Eat protein with every meal. All foods contribute to the thermic effect, which means that all foods – carbohydrates, fats and proteins – help to give metabolism a gentle nudge higher when we eat them, but protein has the greatest thermic effect of all. In addition, protein can increase metabolism by helping to maintain and build muscle mass.

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Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "The Other Woman"

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 28 May 2012 17:22:20 PDT

The titular "other woman" in this week's episode of Mad Men is actually a car, but the ladies of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce - Peggy and Joan - are also courted in very different ways. Both women make major decisions that impact their careers and their futures (not to mention the whole dynamic of SCDP).

The way that Joan and Peggy handle their respective situations truly showcases just how different these women are, even if they both have the same ambition and devotion to success at heart. I can't get into it without revealing a few spoilers, though, so let's break down the biggest moments when you

The ending of an era: Peggy's leaving Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce! This is by far the show's biggest shake-up since Don and Megan's engagement, and it's bittersweet because it happens right in the middle of all the Jaguar madness. Peggy's felt a bit out of place all season long (especially thanks to Ginsberg), and when Don embarrasses her in his office, it's the last straw. She seeks out old friend Freddy Rumsen for advice, and he tells her she should cast her feelings aside and start exploring her options. She's quickly snatched up by a rival agency, for even more money than her asking price. Don can't believe it when Peggy breaks the news (you can practically see the smoke coming out of his ears), but he keeps his temper in check long enough to give her a very tender, heartfelt goodbye. She tells Don not to be a stranger, but could Peggy really be gone for good? I'm happy to see her character moving on, but would definitely miss her on the show.
Indecent proposal: As the writers are busily brainstorming for the upcoming Jaguar campaign, Pete and Ken get a rude awakening from Herb, the head of the dealers association. He mentions over dinner that he'd give SCDP a leg up - if he can sleep with Joan. Pete makes the already-uncomfortable situation even worse by having the nerve to bring it up to Joan in the most obnoxious way possible. She says the company "can't afford" her, which Pete takes to the partners as a bargaining chip. Don and Lane are horrified, but the rest of the guys are open to seeing what Joan will do.
A dirty job: After the partners meeting, Lane takes his turn discussing the situation with Joan. At first, she's annoyed, and I felt a tinge of sadness for her when she learns about the discussion, especially when she asks if Roger was involved. Lane's still not quite endorsing the idea of Joan whoring herself out, but he proposes that she ask Pete to become a partner rather than just taking a check. She takes his advice, which gets Lane out of yet another sticky monetary situation.
Slippery Pete: Pete's creepy ways are mostly reserved for the way he handles the Joan/Jaguar situation, but we also get another brief peek into his troubles at home. After a rousing rendition of "Goodnight Moon," Pete and Trudy get into a tiff when he mentions that he's tired of his long commute and wants an apartment in the city. Trudy says absolutely not, but it's clear that his distaste for the suburban life is only getting worse.
Game changer: When Don gets wind of the fact that Joan will sleep with Herb in exchange for a partnership, he's angry and shows up at her door. He tells her that he doesn't want to win the campaign this way, and she's appreciative of the fact that he's the only one that stood up for her. It seems that he may have changed her mind, but twist! We learn that it's too late, and she's already slept with Herb. The guys nab the campaign the next day, but the look on Don's face when he sees Joan in the partners meeting says it all.

With only two episodes left in the season, what'd you think of all the happenings on Mad Men? Were you surprised about Joan's or Peggy's decisions?

Photo courtesy of AMC

50 Actors We Could See in the Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 28 May 2012 09:14:03 PDT

With Fifty Shades of Grey fever sweeping the nation, we've all been buzzing about which stars we can see as smoldering Christian and naive young Anastasia. Some readers even had suggestions for the supporting players (most notably Elena, aka Mrs. Robinson). To help you mix and match your leads, check out this list of casting suggestions and tell us which guy and gal would make your fantasy Fifty Shades couple.

Buzz Lines: What's Your Favorite Quote From High Fidelity?

Maggie Pehanick — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:30:00 PDT

No movie so encapsulates music snobbery quite as well as High Fidelity. The quippy dialogue owes most of its genius to Nick Hornby, the British writer responsible for the book version, but it's actors like John Cusack and Jack Black who make the delivery so memorable. Put on your Kathleen Turner Overdrive vinyl and let's get this party started with your favorite quotes.

"A Cosssssssby sweater." - Barry
"Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" - Rob
"Is it better to burn out or fade away?" - Barry

Photo courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

5 Simple Techie Ways to Share Your Wedding Photos

Laura Marie Given — Mon, 28 May 2012 04:01:44 PDT

Remember when disposable cameras were a regular wedding standby? Thanks to technology, photo sharing has definitely grown easier. lLong gone are the days of having to develop film, make copies, and send prints to friends. Now it's as simple as snapping, uploading, and adding a tag.

Looking for a simple way to swap event photos with your friends? Here are five easy ways to share:

Facebook group: Before the event, create a Facebook group and invite other guests to share their photos on the group's page. Take it a step further by making multiple groups according to who will be there - for instance, one group for friends, one for family, coworkers, etc.
Twitter/Instagram: When it comes to Twitter and Instagram, it's all about the hashtags. Ask friends to add a specific hashtag, like #KellyandMattWedding720, so that everyone can click on the tag and easily access all the event photos in one place.
Picasa album: Do most of your friends have a Google account? Try creating a Picasa album where they can add their own snaps. Send an email invitation for friends to access the album, and then share the link with pals who'd like to see the photos.
Hipstamatic D-Series app: The free Hipstamatic D-Series app allows you to share a "roll" of up to 24 pictures with friends, each of whom can upload their own perspectives of the bash. Even better? You can order prints straight from the Hipstashop.
Flickr group: If all your friends are on Flickr, then go for a group where you can each upload your favorite shots from the day. Make it completely public to give anyone access, go invitation-only to keep it private, or stay totally private if you have no intention of making the album public in the future.

Do you have any tips for sharing event photos? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo by Emily Steffen via Style Me Pretty

One Awesome Thing: A Swimsuit to Make You Feel Like a Bond Girl

Noria Morales — Mon, 28 May 2012 04:00:15 PDT

In my quest to find a swimsuit that gives my post-baby body plenty of coverage and curves, I've found two solutions: neoprene and nonstop Pilates. Let's go with neoprene for now. The lightweight rubber material, used in scuba gear, helps suck you in and smooth over dimples and rolls, curing you from a case of the jiggles. A wetsuit, however, is not the answer.
Enter Lisa Marie Fernandez, the fashion-stylist-cum-swimsuit-designer who made neoprene fashionable with her line of sleek and, yes, sporty (but mostly sleek) suits. This season, she partnered with British designer Peter Pilotto (and prints master) to create a collection of gorgeous printed swimwear. My favorite is the Farrah ($495). The maillot features curved seam details to add some shape to the midsection, cap sleeves to make arms look thinner, and a sexy front zip to show off decolletage à la a classic Bond girl. At $495, it's not a guilt-free buy, but after trying on so many suits that don't help, it's worth it to find one that does. Plus, I'm totally obsessed with the artful print.

Peter Pilotto/Lisa Marie Fernandez Farrah swimsuit ($495)

Ways to Slim Down Your BBQ

Jenny Sugar — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:37:59 PDT

It's officially barbecuing season, and with this comes tons of burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and beer. To avoid packing on the pounds this Summer, here are some ways to add a healthy spin to your barbecues.

Go for homemade guacamole instead of creamy dips: Avocados offer the healthy fats your body needs, which is a much better option than the saturated fats found in dairy-based dips. If you're worried about calories, whip up some homemade low-cal salsa, and throw in some fresh pineapple and mango for added vitamins.
Grill up some veggies: Use a grill basket, corn holders, or skewers and choose a variety of veggies to grill alongside your meat dishes. Load up your plate to fill you up and help prevent overeating high-calorie dishes.

Keep reading to learn more ways to save barbecue calories.

The Cheapest Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks and Other Savvy Hits!

Emily Co — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:15:30 PDT

Try the most affordable Starbucks secret menu drinks.
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Expert tips on making your email inbox less overwhelming.
9 ways to earn extra cash when money is tight.
The best travel deals this Summer.
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Important things to know about paying for college.
How to continue saving money after you've booked and paid for the trip.
Ways to reuse your dryer sheets.
Things to keep in your plastic folder when traveling.

10 Tips to Save on Memorial Day Grocery Shopping

Emily Co — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:15:10 PDT

It's fun to host people for a barbecue, but it can also get quite pricey when everyone isn't chipping in. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch provides suggestions to cut your grocery bill when shopping for your Memorial Day meal:

Prepare most of your meal. Woroch says, "The general rule for prepared foods is that they are more expensive, and it's cheaper to buy the ingredients to prepare yourself." For example, prepared veggie platters and fruit salads "are never a good deal" and aren't exactly the freshest produce. However, prepared potato salad at a regular supermarket is less expensive and will save you time in the kitchen.

Get chicken from the butcher. Buy chicken breasts from the butcher counter instead of the prepared packets. They tend to be cheaper and are generally more fresh.

Consider boxed wine. Save money by skipping the bottled wine and going for the box. "Boxed wine is an affordable option for large parties, and the quality has greatly improved in recent years," she says.

Buy liquor at a superstore. If you're insistent on a specific bottle, then check out warehouse clubs like Costco. There are better deals on wine, liquor, and beer at a superstore, according to Woroch. While you're there, pick the store's generic version of vodka for an even cheaper deal.

Make your own salad dressing and marinade. Check out recipes online - here's a list of over 60 different marinades to make. "Most people will already have the basic ingredients like olive oil, some type of vinegar, and herbs at home," she says. "Other ingredients like lemon or lime, soy sauce, or honey won't cost much extra."

Read on for more.

How to Rough It and Still Look Red-Carpet Ready

Michele Foley — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:56 PDT

I love to camp. And I am, for the most part, pretty OK with whatever the wilderness throws at me. Not the case with everyone - including a few friends of mine who sometimes join me in the outdoor fun. I've learned from them that newbie campers have the most trouble with sleeping outside and abandoning their normal beauty and hygiene regimen. If you know someone like this - or if this is you! - here are a few essentials to make sure that you get a good night's rest and also look your absolute best (without seeming like a princess).

Source: Thinkstock