FitSugar

Another Reason to Eat Carbs: Boost Your Mood

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:56 -0800

The majority of Fit readers call themselves carb queens, and Winter can make those carbohydrate cravings even more intense. But have no fear: scientists are finding even more reasons not to avoid this essential food group.

A recent study of more than 100 obese and overweight adults in Australia found that dieting put people in a better mood; a drop in pounds led to increased satisfaction. But for people on low-carb diets, the mood boost didn't last.

The study group was split, with half the subjects on a lowfat diet and the other half low-carbing it. Interestingly, folks in both groups lost the same amount of weight on average, about 30 pounds. But after a year, the low-carb dieters also lost the positive mood effects, while the low-fat dieters did not. Here's more from the study.

Another Reason to Exercise: Be Happier at Work

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

There are so many reasons to exercise, from deeper sleep to boosting your immune system, but I have a few more work-related reasons to add the list. Exercising before or during your workday will improve your productivity. Adding workouts to your workweek doesn't just help your boss; exercising on a workday helps with stress management and can make you happier. If you can't fit in a workout before heading to the office, schedule one during your lunch hour. Instead of a coffee break, take an activity break. Who knows? You might just start to whistle while you work.

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Holiday Survival Guide: Exercise to Improve Your Mood

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

During the holiday season we are all pressed for time, but stress can turn you into a "bah humbugging" Scrooge. One thing that is guaranteed to help is exercise.

It is true that moderate exercise can improve your mood. Instead of thinking of your workout as something you need to check off your to-do list, remember exercise is great coping mechanism for stress. I have also found when I am in a mental pinch - at a loss of what to buy my nephews for Christmas, can't remember where I put the holiday cards, not sure how to handle my out-of-town guest list - exercise helps. Moving my body frees my mind, as well as lifts my spirit, and the answers often just come. And even if I don't find solutions to all my problems, post-workout I am a lot less stressed by them. How about you?

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Fit Tip: Use a Good Mood to Your Advantage

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Many times a bad mood can put us off from going to the gym. But for me, it's my good moods that often keep me from doing my workout.

If I've had a great day at work then I want to go out and have a drink with a pal, or go home and spend time with my husband, not go to the gym. On the other hand, I have found that if I put my positive energy to work at the gym, I can really challenge my exercises and have a great workout. What's more? After I am done, my good mood in combination with the fact that I've just worked out can leave me on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

So I know it's tempting to celebrate a good day or a good mood with happy hour, just hit the gym first then meet your pals after. You'll be glad you did.

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What's the Deal with: The Good Mood Diet

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:45:00 -0800

Is your diet bringing your mood down? You're not alone.

Dr. Susan Kleiner, the author of The Good Mood Diet ($16.31), is a nutrition authority on eating for strength. She is also the nutrition consultant to the Seattle Supersonics and the Seattle Sea Hawks. The book proves that you can choose healthy foods that both make you feel great and, when eaten according to the plan, help you lose weight too. Her theory is that most diets cause chemical changes in the brain which make the dieter feel depressed. Yeah, no kidding. Talk to anyone who's suffered through the grapefruit diet and they'll agree.

Dr. Kleiner believes that the typical diet plan is often too low in calories for most people to feel full and therefore satisfied. In The Good Mood Diet you can eat feel-good foods in conjunction with ideal timing and ideal combinations that give a balance of protein and fats to go with carbohydrates. Yup, you get to eat carbs on this diet. Eating from a list of the feel-good foods (that increase serotonin) and eliminating the feel-bad foods helps dieters feel fuller and better while still losing weight.

What are feel good foods? Fish, flax seed and eggs for example. What is a mood killer food? Refined sugar. If you were expecting to hear that alcohol is a feel bad food then think again, and you're allowed a bit of sweets once you're two weeks into the diet.

So, if you're interested, check out the Good Mood Diet site for more information and you can buy the book on Amazon.com.

7 Instant Mood Boosters

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Just one of those days huh? Don't worry we all have days where we are feeling a little down in the dumps, it's normal.

For those days where you are feeling down in the dumps, U.S. News and World Report has a list of seven things you can do to pep up -- If you've been exercising then it should come as no surprise that getting your body moving tops the list.

Set your body in motion. Getting active for 30 minutes a day, six days a week can alleviate chronic sadness as well as antidepressants, according to a 2005 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Even a more modest regimen might provide a quick pick-me-up and neutralize a bad day. A brisk, 15-minute walk "can improve your mood and increase your energy for up to two hours," says Robert Thayer, a professor of psychology at California State University and author of Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood With Food and Exercise.

There are six more ideas so read more

Know thyself. As beneficial as exercise is, it's often the last thing you want to do when you're down in the dumps. You might feel like reaching for a candy bar or a cold beer rather than your sneakers. While food or alcohol can provide a temporary lift, you're likely to feel even more drained later, says Thayer. When you recognize what Thayer calls "tense tiredness," force yourself to get a real, lasting mood boost. Think back to how you felt after your last power walk, and use that memory as a motivation to get moving.
Take a breathing break. For 10 minutes, focus on the flow moving in and out of your lungs. Doing so, says Thayer, will help initiate a "relaxation response," which lowers breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure, thus reducing tension. To achieve this response, sit in a comfortable position and pick a meaningful word or phrase, like "love" or "peace on Earth." Close your eyes, relax your muscles, and breathe slowly and naturally. Each time you exhale, repeat your focus word or phrase. Meditation and yoga are also great ways to get this response.
Wake up without an alarm. Without enough sleep-most adults need seven to eight hours-even a Pollyanna type will feel cranky. What's more, prolonged sleep deprivation can actually lead to depression. Yet about 60 percent of American women say they get a good night's sleep only a few nights per week, according to a March 2007 poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation. Not surprisingly, more than half the women polled said they had felt unhappy, sad, or depressed in the previous month, and one third reported feeling hopeless about the future. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule will help you sleep through the night and wake up in the morning without an alarm, which is a good sign you've met your sleep quota. Also, try to make evenings as relaxing as possible-free of caffeine, work-related E-mail, and heavy-duty workouts.
Think fish oil. Fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, salmon, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which appear to protect against depression. Some studies, for example, indicate that fish oil supplements can alleviate depressive symptoms, according to a review article published in the June 2006 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Aim for several servings a week of omega-3-rich fish, and look for omega-3-fortified foods (listed on the label), including somebrands of eggs, margarine, and yogurt. Taking fish oil supplements is another way to boost your intake of the good fat.
Turn on the tunes. In his research, Thayer has found that listening to music was the second-most-effective way-after exercise-to turn around a bad mood. The kind of music? "We don't have a definitive answer on that," he says, "but I'd guess it would be songs with energizing, toe-tapping beats."
Talk it out. Having a strong network of family and friends to lean on can be crucial for dealing with sadness. You might also benefit from talking to a professional. A form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be particularly beneficial. It teaches you to overcome irrational thoughts that trigger depressed feelings and to find ways to incorporate pleasurable activities into your life. Studies have shown that this therapy works as well as medication in many cases, points out Jerome Wakefield, a psychology researcher at New York University and coauthor of The Loss of Sadness. And it can give you enduring tools to overcome these feelings for life.

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Omega-3s Good for Your Health and Your Mood

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

New research from the University of Pittsburgh has found that omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for your physical health, but also good for your mental health. More specifically, they found that people with lower blood levels of omega-3s were more apt to have a negative outlook and to be more impulsive, while those with higher levels of the fatty acid typically were more agreeable and less likely to be in a bad mood.

So next time you head out for a nice dinner to lighten your mood, order the salmon (instead of vodka on the rocks) to boost your spirits up even more.

Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?

5 Foods That Fight Stress

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:04 -0800

With the holiday season in full swing - presents to buy, meals to prepare, hardly a moment to hit the gym - it's easy to quickly become stressed out. And stress can trigger a load of other health issues, so it's best to keep our stress levels in check. While we're inclined to choose a not-so-healthy snack to put our stress at ease, there's a better solution in the way of food. Just read on to find out which healthy foods Self magazine suggests can help conquer stress and boost your mood.

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