FitSugar

Who's to Blame for Eating Disorders?

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:00:37 -0800

If you're like me you're a little sick of all the flip-flopping on who is ultimately responsible for contributing to eating disorders in young women. First it was the modeling world and media. Then Gisele piped in and blamed parents. Shortly afterwards Gisele got publicly criticized for pointing fingers at parents and researchers in turn pointed their fingers straight at genetics.

Anyone else confused?

Well not to confuse you even more but new research is out from Stanford University that says fathers are the ones to blame now as well. Their findings came after noticing the lack in research on the father's role in eating disorders. Further finding that fathers are important in influencing their daughters toward bulimia, particularly fathers who were overweight and wanted to be thinner. These influences may be direct, such as criticizing the daughter's weight or shape, or indirect, by expressing their own concerns about weight and shape.

My head is spinning -- Who do you blame the most for contributing to eating disorders?

Get (or Give) The Gift of Sleep this Mother's Day

FitSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Did you know that only 64% of moms report getting a good night's sleep a few nights a week or less?

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) releases survey results indicating that moms nationwide are not getting the sleep they need to feel refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go. Amen to that! Here is a list from the NSF of tips to allow Mom to sleep in an hour more on Mother's Day (and all year round):

It’s All in the Prep! Plan the menu in advance and have all ingredients ready to go. Some breakfast items like French toast, quiche and frittatas can be whipped up and refrigerated until cooking. Pre-set the breakfast tray with silverware, appropriate plates, etc – this will eliminate commotion and clanging in the kitchen. Don’t forget a vase with freshly cut flowers!
Keep the Kids Quiet… Remind the children that this is Mom’s special day and the family has made a pact to let her sleep in. Have favorite “quiet” toys (like books, coloring books and kid-friendly DVDs) easily accessible so kids can occupy themselves until Mom wakes up.
Mom Loves Sleep PJs… This Mother’s Day, NSF is offering Mom Loves Sleep PJs – a comfy, camisole and patterned cabana pants ensemble. Visit NSF’s Sleep Shop to learn more about this exclusive offer.
Get Them Dressed and Ready to Go! Lay out the next day’s clothing before the kids get into bed. Older kids can dress themselves; younger kids may need some assistance. If outfits are chosen and agreed upon the night before, children can get dressed without a fuss.
Take a Task… Each child should be assigned a specific chore to ensure that Mother’s Day morning is memorable. Create a chart and give everyone a specific duty. Make Mom proud by having the kids pitch in and help one another on her behalf.

Fit's Tip: Print this for (or email it to) your husband today so he can start planning. If he's anything like mine, he can use all the help he can get.

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Does Your Mother Exercise?

FitSugar — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:30:00 -0700

It is Mother's Day and here at FitSugar we want to know if fitness for you is a family past time with a matrilineal leaning. My mom is into walking and swimming, and she's even a Jazzercise regular. She inspires me, just as I hope to inspire my girls.

So I was wondering . . .

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Speak Up: Like Mother, Like Daughter?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:47:00 -0700

Mother's Day may be about bouquets and Hallmark cards, but this year the holiday inspired some thoughts about mothering, the things I learned from my mom, and what I hope to teach my two girls.

My love of baking comes directly from my mother. It is this love of baking that partially inspires me into motion: running, biking, swimming. When my girls were both small, I decided I wanted to teach them by example how to lead a healthy life. That fruits and veggies are delicious. We snap beans and peel veggies together. When they ask, “What fruit is for dessert” my health-conscious heart just melts. I want my daughters to see that working out is not a chore or a luxury, just a part of life. I love answering, “yes” when my little one finds me stretching postrun in the early morning and asks, “You run, mommy?" Then she helps me with what she calls “stretch-ups.” We play yoga studio together, and my eldest has mastered full lotus, an accomplishment beyond the ability of my knees. They have cheered me on at every race and I can’t wait to return the favor.

Tell me what healthy habits did you learn from your mom? What healthy habits are you trying to teach your kids?

Run Like a Mother

FitSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Mother's Day doesn't have to be about heavy brunches and lovely bouquets. Although those gifts are nice, you could celebrate the day with a run.

Run with your mom. Run for your mom. Run pushing your jogging stroller. There are runs all over the country celebrating Mother's Day, from the Mominator 5k in Colorado Springs, CO to the Moms on the Run 5k in Dover, NH, with many races in between. Many of these fun runs are family affairs, and kids as well as fathers are encouraged to join in the fun. Check out this list of featured races on Active.com. Will you be running like a mother this Sunday?

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See Mommy Run: Mother's Day Runs!

FitSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Before you sit down to your Mother's Day brunch, go for a run with your children or mother. A mimosa tastes much better after running a 5k. I think it is important to run intergenerationally so your kids can see that you are physically active and strong. These fun runs are a great way to introduce your sedentary mother to walking/jogging/running. If you have a wee one, strap him or her into your jog stroller and hit the road.

Active.com has a great listing of Mother's Day races, making it easy to find a race or fun run near you. Join the fun and see mommy run!

Healthy Gift Ideas: Mother's Day

FitSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Mother's Day is only a few days away and there are plenty of healthy ways to show your mom you love her, aside from the traditional breakfast in bed or brunch out on the town. Show your mom you love her in ways that help her take care of herself, heaven knows moms generally put themselves on the bottom of the totem pole. Here are a few ideas to inspire a healthy lifestyle, so you can share many more Mother's Days together.

Gift certificate for a massage
A few sessions with a personal trainer
Gift card to a local gear store so she can pick up some new sneakers or yoga capris
Plan a hike or bike ride together - get her a lumbar pack and fill it with healthy snacks
A subscription to a food, health, or fitness magazine
Some home fitness equipment like a gym ball, resistance band or tube, dumbbells, or a weighted hula hoop - get her a DVD to go along with it
Sign the two of you up for a fitness or wellness retreat

What else? To find out read more.

Go to a yoga, Pilates, step aerobics, or other fitness class together
Spend the morning at a farmers' market and then make lunch together
Send her some organic flowers or a potted houseplant
Make her a mix of your favorite workout or relaxation music
Have her over for a healthy homemade dinner.

Do you have any other ideas? Share them in the comment section below.

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Happy Mother's Day!!!

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:45:00 -0700

It is not often you hear your wishes, your desires, your life explained by a poem you hear being read on the radio. I heard this poem written by Beverly Rollwagen and read by Garrison Keillor on the Writer's Almanac one morning as I rushed to work, feeling quite overwhelmed by the constancy of mothering. The poem stuck with me and I had to share it with you.

understudy

She just wants an understudy, a body
double for the days when she does
not feel like appearing in any of the roles
she has assumed and/or been assigned.
She places an ad in the paper. Wanted:
one wife, mother, daughter, neighbor,
friend. Live-in OK. Own car necessary.
No lines to memorize; everything ad-
libbed. No days off.

You can buy Rollwagen book What She Wants at AbeBooks.com for $10.36.

P.L.O.W - Mother's Day

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

We all know how much we appreciate our moms. They've been there for us as listeners, teachers, role models, therapists, caregivers, and friends. We feel comfortable enough to cry with them one minute, and laugh with them the next. They inspire us to be strong women, and their love and support is what makes it happen.

This play list is for all the wonderful mothers in our lives - we wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. To hear it, press the white arrow after you read more

Total Time: 35:46

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When to Give the Gift of Fitness: Mother's Day Protocol

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Mother's Day is rapidly approaching. It is this Sunday, May 13th, just in case you didn't know. With that in mind, I just wanted to review the protocol around giving fitness related gifts for this special day.

A fitness gift can be a touchy subject since no one wants to receive an exer-cycle they didn't ask for. Unless an interest has been stated, giving exercise equipment is worse than giving a mom a toaster. It comes across, frankly, as an insult. It implies the recipient needs to exercise more, and gifts should not be used to send messages. Now, if your mom has mentioned in passing that she would like a TreadMill and you have the dough to buy her one, go for it. Or maybe your mom said she would like a set of dumbbells or resistance bands. Those items you can probably afford, so give her the gift of resistance training.

If your mom has expressed interest in trying yoga, Pilates, or a personal trainer, by all means give her a gift certificate for some classes or private sessions. I bet she will be thrilled.