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Seven Habits of Women Who Don't Get Sick

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:30:00 PDT

Nothing is worse than getting a cold or the flu. Sometimes it seems unavoidable, but CNN recently reported on seven habits of women who rarely get sick. I've highlighted some key points in this slideshow, so see for yourself what you may want to do, or pat yourself on the back for those things that you already do.

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Avoid The Monday Blues with Positive Thinking

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:30:00 PDT

I know it might seem cliché to admit this but rainy days and Mondays always get me down. They just do. I came across this article recently on the Power of Positive thinking and I thought this might just be the tool I need to help me power through my Monday blues.

While Positive Thinking may sound corny, optimism has been proven to be a healthful mindset. The Mayo Clinic lists the following side effects as some benefits of looking at the glass as half full: decreased negative stress, greater resistance to catching the common cold, a sense of well-being and improved health, reduced risk of coronary artery disease, improved coping ability for women with high-risk pregnancies, and (obviously) better coping skills during hardships. Don't know if Mondays count as hardships, but sometimes it sure feels like they should.

We have all gone through bouts of negative self talk (so many personal sports moments come to mind), and the best way to stop the slow build of pessimism is to practice positive thinking. Sounds easy, but it takes practice to turn lemons into lemonade. The best guideline for eliminating the stream of negative thought is to not say anything to yourself mentally that you wouldn't say out loud to anyone else. Periodically check in with the stream of your thoughts and if they are sour, give them a positive spin. Instead of saying "There is no WAY I have time to do this" try "I think it is time to reevaluate priorities." I am telling you it really does work - see I'm feeling optimistic already.

So tell me - is the glass half full or half empty?

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Messed Up on an Interview? Ask For Another Chance

Emily Co — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:04 PST

If thinking about your last interview makes you cringe, you may want to ask your interviewer for a second go at it if you know you're qualified for the position. Apparently, it can work in some circumstances, according to Glassdoor.com. But you need to be honest and humble when attempting to ask for another chance. Another idea to get a second interview is to ask someone to step in for you. Perhaps a friend, colleague, or recruiter who is willing to vouch for you and your abilities.

Sometimes asking for a second interview may work for you, because the employer may view it in a positive light and respect your attempt. Glassdoor says:

It takes courage to request a second chance and some employers may admire that, said Tashana Sims-Hudspeth, a Columbus, Ohio-based human resource manager who also teaches on HR and being successful in college. She suggests an approach that includes an apology, a general explanation of what went wrong, and a request for a second chance. The candidate must be very clear how much they want to work at the employer and then use their personal judgment on giving a detailed explanation on what contributed to their bad performance.

If you were told that you weren't picked because another job candidate had a skill you didn't possess, Keystone Associate’s Pennell Locey says you should take a six-week class to brush up on the skill, or gain the experience through volunteering for a two-month charity project. After you've gained the knowledge or the experience, write back to the hiring manager to let them know that you have put in the effort to attain the missing skills and experience they were looking for. If you do possess those qualities, Locey encourages job seekers to write a brief follow-up email and cite one or two examples that highlight them. Personally, I think there's no harm in trying for a second chance and that the worst response you can get is a "no." As long as you go about it with finesse, reaching out to employers again might leave them with a good, and more memorable, impression of you, and they may potentially keep you in mind for future positions.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "All You Need Is Love"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:27:29 PST

It's Valentine's Day in Seattle, which means the doctors are scrambling to get their romantic plans together on this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Callie plans a special surprise for skeptical Arizona, while Mark tries to get out of babysitting duty so he can take Julia out on a date. Derek and Meredith, on the other hand, just need to find somewhere to go for a little, uh, "alone time."

On the other end of the spectrum, Lexie is having a "woe is me" moment as she pines for Mark, and Jackson and Karev are also left dateless. No one's in hotter water than Owen is, though: he and Cristina contemplate some big questions about the future of their relationship, and Teddy has some choice words for him when Owen tries to rekindle their friendship. Ready to break it all down? Just

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "The Spanish Teacher"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:01:05 PST

Glee goes Latin this week when guest star Ricky Martin stops by to shake it and teach Mr. Schue a thing about Spanish (which, despite being a Spanish teacher, he does not know). A couple more people find out about Finn and Rachel's engagement, though Mercedes and Sam are still far more unclear about their relationship. Sue also announces a highly frightening desire to be a mother while clawing at the chance to be a tenured teacher.

There are some fun numbers this week, but they couldn't distract from the fact that this episode is all over the place. A couple of the subplots are just plain ridiculous, but it's not totally without its highlights, so let's go over them after the jump.

4 Moves to Say Goodbye to Saddlebags

Self — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:13 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, hormones, and age, but women can still affect the shape of their bodies through nutrition and exercise," says Rebekah Rotstein, a New York-based Pilates instructor who recently released the Pilates For Buff Bones DVD.

Not sure where to begin? Rotstein recommends utilizing large muscle groups rather than relying on spot training for fast results. "Pilates get results because it's a whole-body exercise program and works your muscles synergistically," she says. "Muscles aren't meant to function independently but as a team!"

Just remember to keep your expectations realistic. No workout in the world can turn you into Cameron Diaz overnight. "All women have padding at their hips, no matter how thin we are (even Diaz!)," says Rotstein. "It's what differentiates us from men and accentuates the curves you've got!"

To tone up those saddlebags fast, add these four moves to your regular workout routine. Check out the moves after the break.

4 Reasons to Try TRX Suspension Training

Leta Shy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:45:17 PST

It may have been developed for the Navy SEALs, but you don't have to be in secret-weapon shape to work out with TRX. The concept of the TRX suspension training is pretty basic: you use two cables on your feet or hands to partially suspend your body and use your own body weight as resistance. The muscle groups you work as well as how hard you work them all depend on the positioning of your body on the cables.

To find out more about the benefits of the workout, I spoke with Randy Hetrick, former Navy SEAL and current CEO and founder of TRX, at the unveiling of the newly expanded TRX Training Center in San Francisco, CA. If you've ever wondered about all those odd-looking straps hanging in your gym, read on to find out more about working out with TRX.

It's for anyone: So, who should do TRX? Everyone, Randy says. "People who like yoga and Pilates tend to like TRX because there are some crossovers. But it's also great for runners, cyclists, or anyone who is an endurance athlete and wants to have more strength training." Even reluctant "power lifters" are usually swayed by the workout once they see how effective it can be at building muscle, he says.
It's beginner-friendly: Another reason to try a TRX class - it's easy to tweak exercises to your own level of difficulty and ramp up when necessary. "It's all user-defined," Randy says. "You determine how hard or how easy you really want to go. So really advanced or really beginners can work out in the same class and get what's right for them."

Read on for more reasons to try TRX.

Want to Age Better? Swap Your Morning Cup of Coffee For Green Tea

Leta Shy — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:05:42 PST

We all know that green tea has many benefits - eye health, sunburn protection, and disease prevention, to name a few. Now, a new study can add another possible benefit to that list: green tea may help you remain functional as you age.

The Japanese study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, tracked 14,000 adults 65 years old or older for three years and found that those people who drank at least five cups a day of green tea were about a third less likely to have functional disabilities than those who drank little or no green tea. Even those who only drank two to four cups of green tea a day also experienced a benefit as they aged. "Functional disabilities" were defined as the inability to do basic daily activities or necessities, like bathing or dressing, so the more green tea you drink the more likely you are to be able to stay independent when you're older. The study did find that those who drank green tea tended to have healthier lifestyles overall, but the researchers said a positive effect still existed when diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits were accounted for.

Five cups may sound like a lot, but it's actually a lot less than you think. So, how much tea should you actually be drinking to reap this benefit and possibly remain independent as you age? Read on after the break.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "If/Then"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:41 PST

Last year we had the Grey's Anatomy musical episode, and this season it's the alternate-reality episode. That's right: as Meredith ponders on the veracity of the phrase "meant to be," we get to see what could have been - or in this case, what was always destined to be. Though this is a filler episode if I ever saw one, it's still pretty fun to see the characters go down different paths (well, except for Jackson, who pretty much stays the same).

What we're treated to is a preppy-pink Meredith, a geeky Karev, and an even edgier Yang just to name a few. There are also plenty of shout-outs to characters from past seasons, like Izzie, George, and Burke. Ready to break down all of the differences? Just

How Heidi Klum Stays Fit and Healthy

Michele Foley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:36:27 PST

Heidi Klum has been in our thoughts lately, and we can't help but think of all the ways she continues to inspire. This working mother of four always manages to look radiant and fit, and her positive disposition is infectious. Let's take a look at the different ways Heidi maintains a healthy lifestyle.