FitSugar

Another Reason to Get More Sleep: Performance

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Your lack of sleep could be affecting your performance at the gym...

The amount of sleep a person gets affects his or her physical health, emotional well-being, mental abilities, productivity and now performance too. Studies have associated lack of sleep with serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

According to new research presented at SLEEP 2007, athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are more likely to improve their performance in a game including faster sprint time and increased free-throws. Furthermore, athletes also reported increased energy and improved mood during practices and games, as well as a decreased level of fatigue.

What does this mean to you? Well, get more sleep, even if you're not an athlete. If you're overtired, you may not get as much out of your exercise routine as you should. Besides, no one ever said, "Gosh, I am too rested to workout today", now did she?

Fit's Tip: It is recommended that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. Don't have time? Then at the very least, try to fit in a nap during the day. Work isn't the issue, being a mom is? Then ask your husband to help you sleep an hour more tomorrow morning.

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I Dream of Genie!

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

When you are working out or doing a certain type of sport, do you ever feel that your body just wasn't made for it? Or maybe that your body just doesn't move that way? You could be totally right!

CyGene is a genetic testing company that claims they can provide you with a full markup of your DNA so you can see if your DNA predisposes you to perform better at endurance or strength athletics. CyGene claims that it will allow you to optimize your training for peak performance -- experts are critical on what it really does for you other than give you a very confusing workout and take $99.95 from your bank account. Some people are totally into this kind of thing regardless of what the experts think, so if you'd like to give it a try, order your Optimum Athletic Performance DNA Analysis here.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Scout Performance Capris

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

Need a great new pair of pants so that you look and feel good during your next workout?

Why not slip into Scout Performance Contrast Mesh Capris ($66)? These capris are made to move, but they also look really cute too (which can be hard to find with good workout gear). The pants are ultimately made from a stretchy nylon blend, but they're accented with breathable pink mesh panels. What's more? They also have a hidden drawstring waist and key pocket. Buy them on Vickerey.com.

Organ Lessons: The Pancreas

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:47:02 -0800

It's time to take some organ lessons, but not the musical kind. I'm going to teach you about your internal organs, starting with the pancreas.

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, devoted to educating people about the disease that took the life of Patrick Swayze earlier this year. If you're like most people, you probably don't know exactly what the pancreas does, so read on to learn more.

How Mo' Nique Lost the Weight and Why Some Don't Like It

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:47 -0800

Everywhere I look lately I'm seeing comedienne Mo'Nique. She's got a new late-night talk show on BET, is making the talk show rounds, and is creating some serious Oscar buzz for her standout performance as an abusive mother in Precious. Oh, and also, she's about 50 lbs. lighter.

The stand-up comic has spent a career embracing her big girl status, often telling fans: bigger is better. But on a recent appearance on the Oprah show Mo'Nique shared that slimming down was a matter of life and death.

In 2006, at 262 lbs, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and doctors warned that she was on a fast track to a short life. In late 2007, Mo'Nique made the decision to lose the weight. A decision, she says, that has alienated some of her fans who looked to her as a symbol that being big is OK. She still thinks that being big is beautiful, but says that being healthy and alive is even better.

To hear how Mo'Nique lost the weight, read more.

Mo'Nique shared with People that her plan is to lose a total of 65 lbs. and is about 20 lbs. away from reaching her goal. The main focus was to change her eating habits - she's cut out junk food like cake, cookies, and chips, and instead of red meat and fried foods, she eats fresh fish and drinks a gallon of water each day. She also hired trainer Erica Sammy to whip her into shape. They hit the gym together on weekday mornings doing a combination workout of cardio, stretching, and weight training.

Speak Up: Have You Ever Jeopardized Your Health?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

The world of cycling takes another blow as yet another cyclist - the third this race - has been booted from the Tour de France after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

While doping compromises a sport's validity, a bigger issue is that athletes are willing to risk their own health in hopes of victory. With the Olympics just around the corner, the issue of doping is at the forefront of discussions and at first I want to say, "Why are they so dumb?" but then I am led to my own health blips in life. While I can say that I've never taken steroids, I have put myself on some seriously stupid, and radically unhealthy, diets in hopes of achieving weight loss.

I'm obviously curious about you guys. Have you ever done anything to jeopardize your own health in hopes of achieving something more (weight loss, a trophy, good grades, popularity, etc.)? Speak up and share your thoughts, I know you guys have some great things to add - you always do!

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Get Your Butt in Gear: SJB Performance Mesh Pants

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:30:00 -0800

If you're looking for a good pair of inexpensive workout pants then you should definitely check out St. John's Bay Performance Mesh Pant ($34.00). These pants are not only affordable but the mesh fabric has moisture wicking properties, which should help keep you dry. They're also surprisingly soft for an inexpensive pair of workout pants. What's more? The pants come in tall sizes for all you leggy ladies. Buy a pair at JCPenney stores or online here.

Gear Review: Nike ACG Wildedge GTX Shoe

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:23 -0700

I'm a big fan of Nike's All Condition Gear (ACG) line. If you're into climbing, hiking, or trail running, this shoe line has something for you. When at the Nike store recently, I noticed that my Wildedge approach shoes are now on sale. This shoe, a mixture of a hiking boot and climbing shoe, is now $65, marked down from $110.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nike's ACG line and to celebrate it, Nike rolled out some pretty cool versions of the Wildedge shoe - a modern twist on the vintage Wildwood shoe that was popular in the '90s. I was immediately drawn to the line because of all the cool colors offered. Most hiking and approach shoes are pretty boring and come in two colors - all-over brown or green. Although I did settle on the ones that have brown and green in them, I think the colors are a lot brighter and flashier than any other hiking shoe I've seen. I also love the fluorescent pink swoosh on the side.

To see how these shoes perform, read more.

Along with being aesthetically pleasing, the Wildedge shoes perform well, and after trekking in them for over six months, I have to say I am a happy customer. The shoes are really lightweight and waterproof, two things that are important to me when backpacking. What I'm most impressed with is the sticky sole, which provides major traction with its .44 sticky rubber, creating a surface that grips onto whatever I'm hiking up. They're also super comfortable - I've hiked in these shoes for hours with no complaints, and even did an hour on the treadmill with them when I accidentally brought the wrong shoes to the gym.

Health Food Headlines

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:00:44 -0700

I love food. Not just eating it, but reading about it too. Here are three food-driven headlines that caught my eye.

Calorie Postings Don’t Change Habits, Study Finds - New York Times
Remember all the controversy about chain restaurants in the Big Apple being forced to post calorie counts? Well, it looks like you can post the calories, but consumers will consume what they want. A study performed in NYC neighborhoods where obesity rates are high found that although folks said the calorie counts helped them make healthier food choices, they actually ordered higher calorie items than before the calorie counts were posted.

10 Foods Most Likely to Make You Sick - Web MD
Oh, the irony. The Center For Science in the Public Interest researched food-borne illnesses and found that some health foods topped the list, including eggs, tomatoes, and sprouts.

Starting Good Food Habits in Kids From the Womb - Time
As a baby is being formed in utero, so is its sense of taste. A fetus in the second and third trimester has a highly sensitive palate, and what the mother eats helps determine the child's early flavors of choice. All the more reason to eat a variety of foods when pregnant and nursing.

What's the Deal With Wearable Weights?

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:13 -0700

The magic pill to weight loss is a mirage in my opinion, but companies continue to design products to help you burn more calories and drop pounds. As if the seven shady weight loss products I recently posted about weren't enough, I just discovered Body Togs Wearable Weights.

At first I thought they were for strength training exercises instead of dumbbells or resistance bands. Since you didn't have to hold them, they seemed like a cool idea. But taking a closer look, these aren't meant for the gym - they're meant to be worn all day long to help boost the amount of calories you burn and tone your muscles while doing day-to-day activities. Tiny weights are evenly distributed around each sleeve, adding about one to three pounds to each limb, depending on the size you choose. You're supposed to wear these arm and calve sleeves under your clothes. I guess if it's hot that day, you just wear them to match your favorite dress. Aside from looking completely idiotic, they're very pricey ($55 to $59 a pair), and also a health risk. To find out why read more.

Performing strength training exercises that are specifically designed to target certain muscles are excellent for your body. When you use correct form, and the appropriate amount of weight, there is little risk of injury. On the other hand, carrying around extra weight on your arms and legs while going about your day may burn extra calories, but it will also increase your risk for a torn muscle or injury to your joint. Just like walking with dumbbells or ankle weight is a big no-no, you don't want to do regular activities while carrying weights because it puts too much stress on your body.

If you want to burn extra calories during your day, fit in an extra 30 minutes of cardio. If toning your muscles is your goal, it's more effective to use dumbbells, resistance bands, or weight machines and do actual exercises that are meant for strengthening your muscles. Setting aside time to exercise will not only produce better results, but it's a great way to relieve stress and give you the much-deserved break we all need during the day.