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Dieting and Dating: Finding a Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Dating, whether you are single or in a relationship, can be a serious diet killer. Dating can be stressful enough as it is, so the added distraction of worrying about what to eat while dating is something you just don't need right now.

MSNBC.com along with Shazia Paroo, a personal trainer in Canada, has created these possible dieting scenario threats while dating (and breaking up) and offers ways to keep them under control:

Dating Stage: Drive-thru, anyone?
Pitfall: Your Friday night action is the girl who answers the phone at your favorite pizza joint. At the grocery store, you find yourself hoping that cute but confused-looking guy will ask your advice on frozen dinners. Cooking for one is depressing, but eating one more piece of your mom's lasagna can't hurt (it's comfort food, after all). It's easy to fall into the self-pity mode when you're going through a dry spell -- then, the temptation to Jabba the Hut yourself to the couch can be overwhelming.

Antidote: "Set a goal and visualize where you want to be and how you want to look," says Paroo. Buy a juicer, find some recipes that don't involve pasta and parmesan, and consider blueberries as something other than a topping for cheesecake. Having the luxury of all that non-relationship free time is also an ideal opportunity for combining socializing and health -- join a gym or a baseball team, take up fencing, cycle naked to protest rising gas prices.

Taking care of your body and appearance will affect your confidence, too. Paroo mentions a client who went down in size "four belt loops. He would go out to a bar and just sit by himself with his head down," she says. "Now he talks to everyone."

Need dieting tips for dieting on a first date? Or what about sticking to a diet during a breakup? Then read more

Dating Stage: Reservations at 8
Pitfall: You can hardly believe your luck -- there's someone else out there who thinks Tiny Tim is an under-appreciated genius. You both hated the sound your exes made when they breathed. In other words, love is in the air -- and that means dessert with dinner and chocolate croissants in the morning. Eating out, ordering in and trying to impress each other with tasty cream sauces are also on the menu.

Antidote: When it comes to the hormonal honeymoon stage, there are two extremes, says Paroo. "You get comfortable and you gain weight, or you get in shape for your partner." Now is the time to be ultra-aware not just of over-indulging, but of losing your motivation. Try adding an extra lap around the track or adding a game of tennis to your schedule. Better, involve your date -- you can both sign up for those yogalates classes.
Dating Stage: Should we just order in?
Pitfall: Congratulations! You've made it into the land of the duos. You've met the parents, confirmed your partner's lack of a criminal record, and even (temporarily) altered him or her to better suit your ideal of someone you'd actually like to be with. Staying fit? That's for single, desperate schmucks who don't have a quality pair of expandable sweat pants. Well, don't get too cocky -- this might be the most dangerous stage as the comfort level rises and the desire to look desirable drops.

Antidote: "People in relationships come to me after a year," says Paroo. "And they've become too comfortable watching movies and eating out a lot. They're drinking a lot, they're not eating well, and they're eating at the wrong time. If you're in a relationship you'll eat late at night, guaranteed." You're biggest enemy at this stage is yourself. Complacency and bliss have dulled your edge and every time you think of working out it's with a twinge of guilt. Get over it -- there are no guarantees in this life, and you'll feel better about yourself if you maintain some semblance of your former shape.
Dating Stage: Pass the Chunky Monkey
Pitfall: It's over but the eating, and all you have to show for your efforts are a food processor you'll never use again, a taste for pancetta and a few extra pounds of relationship fat. You're depressed and anxious, and you're going through the ever-popular grieving process -- sadness, fridge, anger, fridge, bitterness, fridge.

Antidote: Breakups are stressful -- wondering where your next foot-rub is coming from can take a lot out of a person. Fear not -- the answer is as close as the nearest elliptical trainer. Even though lifting weights or running around a track might be the last thing you feel like doing, follow the slogan and "just do it." Guaranteed you'll feel better -- not just from the release of endorphins but just knowing you're still among the living. This might also be the best time to hire a professional. "Let us kick your butt," says Paroo. "You'll get your self-confidence back. And no matter how hard people find it to work out, it's the best stress relief ever." And never discount the motive of revenge when it comes to getting in fighting form, says the trainer: "People want to show the ex how hot they can look."

Not having problems dieting and dating, but just dating in general? Then check out what E. Jean has to say about dating on DearSugar.com.

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Detox Dangers

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Detoxing is hot right now. I am not really sure how this trend came to pass, but somehow forcefully purifying the body of harmful (or even worse, toxic) substances by running to the restroom every other minute seems to be the "thing" to do right now.

The thing is, our bodies (ones without major medical conditions) do a darn good job of getting rid of any toxins all by themselves. Remember your liver, kidneys and lungs? Yeah, detoxing the body is one of their jobs and those organs are good at it. MSNBC is backing this claim further in a recent report on detoxing. The report also says that headaches, fatigue, irritability, aches and pains, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, muscle breakdown, loss of 'good' bacteria and blood-sugar problems - not to mention frequent bowel movements - are just some of the lovely side effects to these detox plans. Sounds fun, eh?

I know a good detox sounds tempting, [insert sarcasm] especially after hearing the side effects, but if you want to lose a few pounds or rid your body from the toxins you've built up, then think about trying this 'health detox'. This means eating a low-fat, high fruit and veggie, high fiber diet. No funky concoctions or frequent pit stops, and the best part, you get to eat solid foods. As with anything, moderation is key and there is no silver bullet, albeit full of lemonade.

An At Home Workout Anyone Can Do in 10 Minutes

FitSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Unfortunately not all of us have the luxury of going to the gym or stepping outside into beautiful weather all the time (ain't that right Seattle?).

MSNBC's Fit List this week is all about how to get in a 10 minute (maybe more like 15) workout at home. The best part is that you'll be using stuff you already have lying around the house.

Start with your kitchen chair to warm up. Sit down and stand back up. Do this for one minute.
Go to the stairs and start climbing up one step at a time. Go up and down 8 to 10 times. If you don't have stairs, use a small step stool. Position it next to a wall so you can place your hand on the wall for balance. Step up and down on the stool (up with the right foot and then up with the left foot, down with the right and then down with the left) for one minute.
Go to a wall and place your back against it. Your feet should be about one foot away from the wall. Now, slide down the wall until the hips are parallel to the knees. The knees should be directly over the ankles. Keep your back pressed against the wall and place your hands comfortably on the thighs. Hold this position for one minute using an egg timer. If you can't make the full minute, hold as long as you can.
Sit in the kitchen chair and hold detergent bottles, one in each hand. Curl them up toward your shoulders to work the biceps. Do three sets of 12 with a rest in between sets. Drink some water while you rest.
Place a three-foot strip of masking tape on the floor in front of you. Stand on one side of the tape and with both feet hop over the tape. Go back and forth for one minute on the egg timer. If you can't jump with both feet, hop one foot to the other foot. Once you get the hang of it you will progress to hopping with both feet. This is great for getting your heart rate up, burning calories, strengthening your bones and improving balance.

There's five more moves, so read more

Go back to the chair and hold the detergent bottles again, this time extending your arms out to the sides. Raise them up until they are at shoulder level. Then return them back down to your sides. This exercise works your shoulders. If the weight is too much, pour out some water, but make sure you keep the same amount in each bottle.
Walk to the bath tub (or you can use the kitchen chair) and sit on the edge. Place your hands on the edge of the tub with your fingers hanging over the front edge. Pull yourself off the edge so you are supporting yourself with your arms. Lower yourself down and up by bending your elbows. Do three sets of 12. This exercise is for the back of the arms, the triceps.
Finish up the workout by getting on the floor near your coffee table (or ottoman). Place your feet on the table and lift your hips up off the floor and squeeze the hips and buttocks. Lower back down. You will feel this in the back of your legs. Do three sets of 10 lifts.
Keep yourself in the same position and place your hands behind your head. Lift your shoulders up off the floor and exhale as you lift. This is for your abs. Do three sets of 15.
Lie flat on the floor, arms stretched out and legs extended. Breathe in and out while you relax.

One thing is for sure: I, for one, will definitely be doing dips using the side of my bathtub tonight. I love this idea!

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Not-So-Healthy Health Foods

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 12:30:00 -0700

A lot of times we have the impression that something is healthy just by its name but that is not always the case. I came across this great article from MSNBC.com that details five foods that are typically labeled as healthy, but aren't:

Yogurt: Most people know that calcium is important to build bones and prevent osteoporosis. And milk products, such as yogurt, are one of your best sources of calcium. Recent research also shows that some healthy bacteria in yogurts, called probiotics, can help keep you regular, curb symptoms of travelers' diarrhea, diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics and inflammatory bowel disease, and might even boost immunity and lower colon cancer risk. The most powerful bacteria are ones like L. acidophilus.

Don't pay extra for the brands on the market that say their specific form of bacteria - with silly names like “regularis” - are any more effective at keeping you regular. And just because a yogurt has the word “immunity” in the title doesn't mean it's better at boosting your immune system either. Choose a brand with a mix of bacteria. Also, skip most fruited varieties, which have up to eight teaspoons of added sugar, more sugar than you'll find in most candy bars. With Americans consuming more sugar than has ever been consumed by any living creature in the history of the planet, or about 40 teaspoons a day, we need to cut way back on sugar, not keep piling it on! Oh, and those yogurt coatings on pretzels and raisins? It's more candy than yogurt, which explains why an ounce of yogurt-coated raisins has more than 40% more calories than plain raisins.

What about low-carb desserts? read more

Low-carb desserts: These sales gimmicks typically have just as many calories as their full-carb counterparts. For example, Oreo Reduced-Fat cookies have 150 calories for three, just 10 calories less than the full-fat originals. Weaver's Baked 40% Reduced-Fat crackers are only 20 calories less than the full-fat Weaver's crackers. And General Mills Reduced Sugar Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal has only 10 fewer calories per 3/4 cup serving than the regular.
Why don't you save more calories? Many of these items replace sugar with a sugar alcohol, such as maltitol or maltodextrin, which has fewer calories than sugar, but isn't calorie-free. And watch out - these alcohols can have a laxative effect. Also, in some cases, the manufacturer has just down-sized the serving size, so you're eating less in order to get those slightly fewer calories. Also, beware. People tend to eat more when they think it is low-fat or low-carb, so you could end up packing on even more weight if you don't limit the serving size.

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Not-So-Healthy Health Foods

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

A lot of times we have the impression that something is healthy just by its name but that is not always the case. I came across this great article from MSNBC.com that exposes foods that are typically labeled as healthy, but aren't:

Enhanced waters: Why drink ordinary water when you can drink “nutrient-enhanced water”? Well, maybe because these “enhanced” waters are just sugar water with a touch of nutrients and a lot of hype. There is no evidence that the ingredients prevent colds, boost health and energy, or reduce disease risk. They also come at a high price, some cost up to $1.50, two to three times the price of plain bottled water.

Watch out for the serving sizes, too. A Glaceau VitaminWater says it supplies half of your daily need for some of the nutrients. But you have to drink the entire bottle, which according to the label would be 2.5 servings and 125 calories, almost the same amount of sugar calories as you'd get in a cola. In reality, you're getting only 7 out of the 40+ nutrients you need. Even then, the amount is miniscule. For example, the vitamin C you'll get from drinking an entire bottle of Glaceau VitaminWater could easily be gotten from eating two strawberries, for a fraction of the calories. You are much better off taking a moderate-dose multiple vitamin and mineral supplement and leaving these enhanced waters on the grocery store shelf.

What about whole grain bread or salads, read more

Whole grain bread: The brown wrappers of multi-grain, whole wheat, 7 grain, oat or rye breads all look so wholesome and healthy. Think again. Flip it over and read the ingredient list. If you see “wheat flour” or “enriched flour” as the first or second ingredient, you have mostly refined white bread with some whole grains added.
Salads: Salads are often the answer to everything from waistlines to health. However, many fatty concoctions are guzzled under the guise of “salad fixings.” The fact that salad dressing is the number one source of fat in women's diets attests to the confusion over what is really a healthful salad and what is a fat-laden disaster.
Skip anything mixed with oil, mayonnaise, cheese or whipped cream. This includes potato or pasta salads, Mexican meat or cheese sauces, tuna mixed with mayonnaise, egg salad, macaroni and cheese, tartar sauce and Waldorf salad. A one-ladle serving of these foods could contribute up to three tablespoons of fat to the meal. Remember that one small ladle drizzles two tablespoons of dressing onto your plate, or up to four teaspoons of fat and 170 calories. In essence, too much of the wrong dressing can transform four cups of low-fat vegetables into a 70% fat calorie lunch! Place some low-fat dressing in a small dish and dunk your fork lightly into the dressing before each bite.

Does a Place Exist Where Women are Not Fat Enough?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

It does and it's hard to imagine. I recently read this article on MSNBC and it just reiterates that the grass is not always greener...

There are no fast food restaurants in Mauritania, yet one fourth of the women there are obese. That is because in Mauritania, a country in Northwest Africa, bigger women are considered better. In fact, force feeding girls and beating them if they vomit or refuse food is not uncommon to make them bigger. Obesity has long been the ideal of beauty in Mauritania, providing a visual for a family’s wealth amongst poverty.

Those that are not big have been known to try using foreign-made appetite-inducing pills (I didn't even know such a product existed) and use veils to cover-up their thinness. The government has since launched a TV and radio campaign highlighting the health risks of obesity to stop the harsh treatment to women and girls. This combined with the rising popularity of foreign soap operas featuring model-thin women, has helped the decline, but it is still present.

Can you imagine? The women of Mauritania must think that our country's obsession with thinness is completely bizarre, while I can't imagine telling a woman that she is not fat enough. What do you think?

Is it OK to Drink Your Daily Amount of Fruits and Veggies?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

A lot of us are short on time so the best option for getting our daily servings of fruit and veggies may seem to be drinking it (V8, for example). The problem is that new studies show that drinking your daily amount is not the best choice for your health.

A few reasons support this. First of all, most fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants in the skins and peels, which do not make it into juice. Furthermore, solid fruits and veggies also provide dietary fiber not found in juice. Bacteria in our colon break down soluble fiber, producing fatty acids that some studies suggest protects our colon against cancer.

What's more? Fruit and veggie drinks are often high in calories, but we don't often take this (or reduce our calorie intake for other foods) into consideration when drinking them. When we eat fiber-rich food such as fruits and vegetables, however, we tend to feel full and thus, eat fewer calories.

Fit's Tip: Since only one in four of us are getting our daily fruits and veggies, I would say that the juice is better than nothing every once in a while, but always try for the real thing first. How many fruits and veggies do you eat in a day? Take the poll.

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Tips For Beating Bad Breath

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Nothing is worse than having bad breath. Unless you're talking to someone who has bad breath, because that can be pretty bad too! Unfortunately you can not really do anything about someone else's bad breath, but you can do something about your own. MSNBC gives us these five food ideas to help combat bad breath:

Chew on this. Move over parsley, there are some new halitosis-fighting herbs in town. “Coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom are all good for fighting bad breath,” says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, who has lectured on oral health. You can chew on fresh herbs or make tonics by steeping them in hot water (as a tea). These herbs make an excellent digestive as well-doubling the benefits of ending a meal this way.

There's four more ideas, so read more

Get some active culture. No, not a Broadway play, but yogurt. A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouth-plaque and gum disease were reduced in the study’s yogurt eaters as well. Plus, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends getting enough vitamin D from yogurt, cheese and milk if you’re worried about halitosis because this vitamin creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active cultures-not overly processed or sugar-added varieties.
Crunchy types. Apples, carrots, celery-basically any fiber-rich fruit or vegetable is your friend when it comes to fighting halitosis. “Inside your mouth, plaque build-up causes odors,” explains Cynthia Sass, ADA spokeswoman and registered dietician. “Eating foods that increase saliva production keep the mouth moist-and rinsed out. Also, many carbs and proteins can get stuck in your teeth-even healthy foods like whole grain cereal or chicken breast.” So follow a meal with a Granny Smith (feel the saliva kick in at the mention of it?) to cleanse the mouth.
Masking techniques. Sugarless gum shouldn’t replace brushing your teeth after a meal, but in a pinch it can freshen breath (masking odors) and is another way to increase saliva production to rinse away plaque and bacteria. Mints can mask as well, but only briefly-and go for sugarless. Sugar creates plaque, and no one wants a mint that makes breath worse.
High C’s. Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons and other vitamin C-rich foods create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. A diet rich in vitamin C is also is important for preventing gum disease and gingivitis-both major causes of halitosis. Get your C in foods, not supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in some, according to Sass, and exacerbate bad breath.

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Doggie Yoga: Downward Dog at its Best

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Yoga's increasing popularity has been leading folks to get everyone in the family involved from grandparents to children to dogs. Yup, you read that right, dogs.

MSNBC is reporting the onset of "doggie yoga," which is being hailed as a new way for owners to interact with their pets as well as a way to get dogs to calm down. Part of the class includes gentle stretching and dog massage as well. I like the idea of getting pet owners and pets moving since both species are faced with an obesity problem these days, but whatever happened to an old fashioned walk?

View 4 Photos ›

Nonetheless, look for doggie yoga classes popping up (pet stores, animal societies, etc.) near you.

Would You Do Yoga with Your Dog?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Now that you know about doggie yoga, I am curious about your thoughts on it...

I love my dog as much as the next dog lover, but I am still warming up to this idea. What do you think -- Would you sign up to do doggie yoga with your dog?

Things to consider: Saint Bernards, Mastiffs and Great Danes, dogs with flatulence problems and dogs that enjoy chewing on rubbery objects.

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