FitSugar

Ana and Mia: My Eating Disorder "Friends"

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:15:00 -0800

If you're searching for information on the internet about eating disorders, you're bound to come across 2 girls' names, Ana and Mia.

I've seen it phrased, "My Life With Ana," "Me and Mia," "PRO-Ana," and sadly, "Mia hates You." No, these aren't real girls' names. Ana is short for Anorexia and Mia is short for Bulimia. These nicknames are a way to personify eating disorders, and to make it easier for people to talk openly about them.

Since it is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I thought you should know that there are so many "PRO-Ana" videos out there that sadly promote eating disorders. I found one video of a girl who was sick of it. She recovered from eating disorders herself, and made this video to reveal the true picture of what it means to go through it.

I have a few more things to say on this subject, so read more

Anorexia and Bulimia are not only about food. Eating disorders become a mechanism to cope with serious emotional problems. They are a way to gain control over your life. People with eating disorders suffer through a constant battle with self-hatred and obsess about food, calories, grams of fat, and their weight.

Their lives become about dieting, binging, purging, and refraining from food all together. It's kind of like a self-punishment for not being perfect.

Fit's Tips: If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, there are many people and treatment centers available who want to help. Avalon Hills is located in Utah, Fairwinds in Florida, Monte Nido in California, and Renfrew in Pennsylvania. They all offer counseling programs to help people heal their hearts and change their lives.

There are also some great PR0-RECOVERY sites out there. Check out Something Fishy, and the National Eating Disorder Association, they are both excellent resources.

Learn From the Game: Mia Hamm

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

After a long week, I was searching for a little inspiration and I found this gem:

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it." - Mia Hamm

I think Mia Hamm is awesome, she is six months pregnant with twins in this photo and she still has time to kick it around with kids at a Soccer Clinic for Recovering Cancer Patients and Marrow Donor Drive. Go Mia...she delivered twin girls in March and I bet they are adorable.

Source

Weight Loss Tips From Boxer Mia St. John

FitSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Ever since we've heard about Tyra Banks boxing her way into a bikini, I've noticed an interest in boxing for weight loss. Female boxing notable, Mia St. John, is a good source on this subject and she provides these tips:

Cardio to the Rescue: Jumpstart your weight loss routine with cardiovascular exercise to get your heart pumping. Excessive perspiration from running, aerobic gym equipment and jumping rope will help you de-bloat and lose inches and pounds quickly. St. John recommends doing cardio several days a week as a warm up for 10-15 minutes, or as a workout for at least 30 minutes, in order to get your heart rate up.
High Protein, Low Carbs: Eliminating white carbohydrates while eating lean protein for a couple of weeks is great for quickly dropping pounds for an event or jump starting your fitness program. Lean protein is important for growth and to build and repair bones and muscle. Fill your diet with fibrous carbohydrates, such as berries and spinach, as well as poultry, fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy.
Punch Up Your Workout: Spice up your workout by adding punches to your routine. "Lunges and crunches help tone abs, thighs and glutes," says St. John. "By adding punches to lower body workouts, you'll also be working arms and back, making a full-body workout in less time." The added moves also keep your heart rate elevated for added perspiration and calories burned.
Perishable Foods: Too much salt isn't healthy, especially for someone trying to lose a few pounds. Excess salt can result in high blood pressure, and causes the body to retain water. "Stock your refrigerator with perishable foods to eliminate much salt, fat and added chemicals found in processed and canned foods," explains St. John. "And drink water throughout the day to get rid of toxins and flush the system, keeping your body healthy and hydrated."

Like what you're reading? Then you may be interested in checking out her DVD Million Dollar Workout: Basic Training ($13.99) from Amazon.com.

Healthy To-Do: Volunteer For a Cause You Love

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:45 -0700

Doing community service is good for the world, but did you know it can also be good for your health? Giving your time to a worthy cause can increase your overall happiness.

Fittingly, I learned this while reading a story in Woman's Day entitled "What Doctors Wish You'd Do" - while waiting for a doctor's appointment. According to the article, volunteers who donated just 40 hours of their time per year lived longer than the average person. Plus, it gets you out and socializing with other people, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of depression and Alzheimer's.

Take a tip from Mia Hamm, shown here teaching kids about flu vaccines and soccer, and pick a cause that gets you moving. Plant a community garden, work at a local food bank, or coach a youth sports team. What healthy causes do you devote your time to?

Relive the Games and Play Olympics Faceoff to Win $1,000

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:30:00 -0700

The Olympics may be over, but you still have a few days to enter the contest to win $1,000 by playing : the FitSugar Olympic Faceoff! This addictive faceoff game features 100 of my favorite Summer Olympians from 2008 and Olympics past.

Gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Kerri Strug competed years apart in different Olympic games, but they face off here! And like the judges, you get to pick your podium favorites. In this Olympic game, basketball's Jason Kidd can compete against swimmer Michael Phelps, and marathoner Deena Kastor takes on soccer great Mia Hamm. Start playing the highly addictive game and guess which Olympians are favored by Sugar readers.

But it's not just the Olympians who win in this game. For the month of August, we're giving away $100 every day and a $1,000 monthly prize; all you have to do to enter is play the Olympic Faceoff or any Faceoff game on the Sugar Network. Check out the official rules for more details.

Game on and face off!

Play FitSugar's Summer Olympics Faceoff!

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0700

To celebrate the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, I've put together a game of my own: the FitSugar Olympic Faceoff! This addictive faceoff game features 100 of my favorite Summer Olympians from 2008 and Olympics past.

Gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Kerri Strug competed years apart in different Olympic games, but they face off here! And like the judges, you get to pick your podium favorites. In this Olympic game, basketball's Jason Kidd can compete against swimmer Michael Phelps, and marathoner Deena Kastor takes on soccer great Mia Hamm. Start playing the highly addictive game and guess which Olympians are favored by Sugar readers.

Game on and face off!

Play FitSugar's Summer Olympics Faceoff!

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:50:00 -0700

To celebrate the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, I've put together a game of my own: the FitSugar Olympic Faceoff! This addictive faceoff game features 100 of my favorite Summer Olympians from 2008 and beyond.

Gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Kerri Strug competed years apart in different Olympic games, but they face off here! And like the judges, you get to pick your podium favorites. In this Olympic game, basketball's Jason Kidd can compete against swimmer Michael Phelps, and marathoner Deena Kastor takes on soccer great Mia Hamm. Start playing the highly addictive game and guess which Olympians are favored by Sugar readers.

Game on and face off!

P.L.O.W. - Favorites Old and New

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Here is a play list of great workout songs made up of some of my favorites - old and new. Mostly old...How can you not want to get up and dance to Bruce wooing Rosalita with a song? Plus I like a slow tune to warm up to and a slow tune to cool down.

"Falling Slowly"
Glen Hansard & Markéta from Once, 4:04
"Hang Me Out to Dry"
Cold War Kids from Robbers & Cowards 3:38
"Kissing the Lipless"
The Shins from Chutes too Narrow - 3:19
"Penny on the Train Track"
Ben Kweller - 4:29
"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" Bruce Springsteen
from Essential Bruce Springsteen 7:01
"Let’s Get Loud"
Jennifer Lopez from On the 6 - 4:04
"Earth Intruders"
Bjork from Volta 4:30
"Galang"
M.I.A. from Arular– 3:34
"Callin’ Out"
Lyrics Born from Later that Day – 3:30
"Dance Me to the End of Love"
Madeleine Peyroux from Careless Love - 4:00

Total PLOW = 42:12

Get in Gear: Baden Pink Soccer Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I grew up playing soccer and realized it is time to introduce my girly-girl to the sport. I was looking for the right ball since my daughter is very particular about design, and I found this Pink soccer ball by Baden. It even has a cool "liquid" pattern all over the ball. It comes only in size 4, but no worries since that is the official size and weight.

Girls and soccer just go together, ain't that right Mia? So why not bend it like Beckham in your own back yard. Or take it to the park and be the envy of all the soccer grrls. Buy one from Hit.Run.Score. for $14.99.

Best and Worst Drivers in the Country

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Have you ever been to another city and thought, "these people suck at driving!" It happens to all of us, but before you start pointing fingers Men's Health has compiled a list of the best and worst drivers in the country. To calculate their rankings, they used the rate of fatal accidents, as well as the deaths caused specifically by speeding, both from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Also, they pulled city statistics on accident frequency from Allstate Insurance. And then we used statewide numbers on speeding from the Governors Highway Safety Association, plus NHTSA state data on seatbelt use.

Here is the list, starting with the best drivers:

**Best Drivers**
Rank	City	Score
10	San Jose, CA	A-
9	Grand Rapids, MI	A-
8	Buffalo, NY	A
7	Minneapolis, MN	A
6	St. Paul, MN	A
5	San Francisco, CA	A
4	Yonkers, NY	A
3	New York, NY	A+
2	Jersey City, NJ	A+
1	Des Moines, IA	A+

To see the where the worst drivers in the country are, read more

**Worst Drivers**
Rank	City	Score
10	Corpus Christi, TX	D-
9	Nashville, TN	D-
8	Charlotte, NC	F
7	Orlando, FL	F
6	Kansas City, MO	F
5	Cheyenne, WY	F
4	Jackson, MS	F
3	Greensboro, NC	F
2	St. Louis, MO	F
1	Columbia, SC	F

Fit's Tip: For your own safety, always wear your seatbelt and be cautious while driving (or crossing the street) no matter which city you are in.