FitSugar

iPhone 4S Buying Guide: Pros and Cons, and Who Should Buy

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:40:31 PDT

Still debating whether or not to spring for the new iPhone 4S tomorrow? While it does come with some shiny new hardware (and software) inside, not everyone will benefit from an upgrade. Debate no more - here, the pros and cons of the new smartphone, complete with a verdict on who should buy it and who should skip it.

Pros

New camera - The 8MP camera with simple editing features (crop, rotate, enhance, and red-eye reduction), a backside illumination sensor, and larger aperture (for better low-light and white balance correction) make the iPhone 4S's camera one that competes with regular point-and-shoots. It will also come with face detection and image stabilization and the ability to capture HD 1080p video.
Faster processor - The custom A5 chip in the iPhone 4S is the same one you'll find on the iPad 2, which means the iPhone 4S will be faster in processing speeds, games, and downloads.
More carriers - Since the iPhone 4S is compatible with CDMA and GSM cellular bands, you can use it in more places around the globe. Even on Sprint's network, if you're looking for a change.
Siri integration - Apple's new Assistant feature basically turns the iPhone 4S into a voice recognizing personal assistant. The demo during the keynote was impressive and highlighted some interesting uses for the blind, hands-free texting, and more.
Wireless syncing - Raise the roof for wireless sync! This will be an iOS 5 feature that will be compatible for the iPad and iPod Touch as well, but I couldn't help but mention the fact that you'll soon be able to set up your devices and get updates without connecting your iDevice to a Mac or PC.
Airplay - If you've got an Apple TV, the iPhone 4S will allow you to stream what's playing on your device to your HDTV with Airplay, which is built right into the new iPhone.
Fingerprint resistant - The iPhone 4S has an oleophobic coating on its glass exterior, making it resistant to fingerprints by repelling oils in your fingers.

Read through our iPhone 4S cons, who should buy, and tips for upgrading when you read more.

The Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum

Heather Dale — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:49:33 PDT

In addition to lip chap and my cell phone, gum rounds out my list of essential purse items. But when it comes to chewing gum in general, how much do we really know about these tasty, rubbery pieces we regularly munch on? Are there any benefits to chomping?

Health Benefits

Heartburn relief: In 2005, researchers found that the saliva stimulated by chewing seemed to neutralize the digestive stomach acid that had leaked into the esophagus. It also seemed to help force fluids back into the stomach and therefore provide heartburn relief. Chewing gum - sugarless, of course - for 30 minutes did the trick and can provide relief for up to three hours.
Kills bacteria and freshens breath: Chewing stimulates saliva production, and the more saliva you have in your mouth, the less bacteria you will have. Gum that is said to be sweetened with xylitol is said to increase salivation and prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. In terms of what flavor to go with, it's best to stick with cinnamon, as it can actually help to decrease bacteria in your mouth - sugar-free cinnamon, naturally.

Keep reading for more pros and find out if chewing gum poses any health risks!

The Good and the Bad: Working Out With Your Significant Other

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:30:51 PST

A dose of healthy competition doesn't hurt anyone, right? Ask one member of a competitive couple and you'll probably hear a different answer. Despite best efforts, it's easy to fall into a routine and gain weight when you're in a relationship - especially a new one. (If you're concerned about this, get a few tips here!)

Working out with your significant other is a great way to spend quality time together while getting fit at the same time - but it's not without its drawbacks. Here, a list of pros and cons from a girl who's been through the trenches.

Pro: Quality time
Busy schedules often mean not spending as much time as you'd like to spend together, so scheduling a workout together means spending QT with your sweetie.

Con: Scheduling woes
He has to work late, you have to work early, and who wants to squander precious hours of sleep on the weekends? Sometimes scheduling a workout actually creates more chaos than it's worth.

Check out the rest after the break.

Puzzling Out a Relationship's Pros and Cons

TresSugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 06:00:00 PDT

I opened my in-flight magazine on a recent trip to find the crossword puzzle and cartoon page covered entirely by a list, with "Susan" on one side and "Les" on the other. Someone had obviously been weighing the pros and cons of two women - very thoroughly.

Under Susan are such pros as "sex is damn good" and "good cook," while the Les side says the sex was just "adequate" but that she's an "excellent cook." However, Les's extensive cons - including "not ecological" and "tech disaster" - suggest that Susan wins. Too bad the answers to this puzzle aren't on page 100.

I've weighed the pros and cons of a relationship before, but I don't think I've gone so far as to make a list - and it's certainly never been so urgent that I had to use the pages of an in-flight magazine! I've reproduced the list below for your voyeuristic pleasure, so check it out - it's quite entertaining. Meanwhile, tell me, have you ever made a pro vs. con list when choosing between two people or trying to decide whether to stay with someone?

View 2 Photos ›

Steppin' Out: Pros and Cons of the Stair Climber

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:00:01 PST

With daylight saving time, those who used to fit their workouts in after work will be left in the dark. So working out in a gym is a great option. There are so many cardio machines to choose from, ranging from the ever-popular treadmill, to the lower-impact elliptical, to the stationary bike. The stair climber is another option that I don't see too many people using. Check out the chart below to see what's good and not so good about this machine.

Pros	Cons
There are two types of stair climbers: one with pedals (often called a stepper) and one that has a rolling set of stairs (called a stepmill), so alternating between the two different types can keep boredom at bay.	If you don't belong to a gym, buying a new stair climber is will cost between $1,500 and $3,000 for a good one.

To see the rest of the pros and cons,

Pros and Cons of the Stationary Bike

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:47:21 PDT

I love riding my bike outside, but if it's raining or too dark out, the stationary bike is a great option for me. Since it may not be the most popular cardio machine at the gym, there's usually one available. Here are some pros and cons to think about when hopping on one.

Pros

Cons

Since you keep your stationary bike inside, you can always get in a workout no matter the weather or time of day.
You can't beat the safety factor. When biking indoors, you don't have to worry about cars, uneven terrain that could make you fall, or sharp objects that could pop your tire. And if you get tired, you can just hop off and end your workout, unlike when you're riding outside and still have to ride back home.

Riding a stationary bike burns fewer calories than running on a treadmill, since most of your weight is supported by the seat. You'll burn 148 calories on a stationary bike after 30 minutes, and will burn 236 calories on the treadmill for the same amount of time.
Biking doesn't offer the same bone-building benefits as high-impact running since you're sitting down.

To see the rest of the pros and cons,

Pros and Cons of the Elliptical

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:50:09 PDT

Since running is one of my favorite forms of cardio, I'm a big fan of the treadmill when I can't get outside for a run. I'm also big into the elliptical, and by the looks of my gym, it appears tons of other people are too. While it's a popular piece of gym equipment for so many reasons, there are also some disadvantages to using one. Check out the chart below to see if an elliptical is the right machine for you.

Pros	Cons
The circular motion and the fact that you're not pounding your feet down with each step is easier on your knees than running outside on concrete or on a treadmill. The platforms for your feet are always free of rocks, trash, dog poo, and ice, so you can count on where you're stepping to be safe and clean.	Although using an elliptical is less impact on your joints, it also requires less effort, so people complain that it's too easy. Since your feet need to stay on those little platforms, you feel like you have less control over your movements, and it's less natural for someone who's used to running.

To see the rest of the pros and cons,

A Little About Coconut Oil

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:30:00 PDT

While I feel that coconut water may be nature's sports drink, I have always been a bit wary of the claims people make about coconut oil. I was happy to read a nutritional explanation of the oil from a source I can trust – Lance's Armstrong's trainer Chris Carmichael. Well, not his trainer exactly, but a nutritionist on Carmichael's team.

The article has lots of great information on coconut oil and here are highlights:

Coconut oil has relatively high smoke point of 400°F, this makes it stable and ideal for many commercial kitchens and bakeries.
It has a long shelf life, which is why many food manufacturers are switching to coconut oil to avoid using hydrogenated oils – aka trans fats.
It is 90 percent saturated fat, and in case you forgot, that is the "bad" fat. But 60 percent of those fats are a form of lauric acid, which is more effectively metabolized than other kinds of fats. This translates into less stored fat. Read this article for a more scientific explanation of this aspect of coconut oil.
Fats, no matter the type, are not metabolized before carbs, and this oil should not be considered a good fuel for exercise. Unless you are training for super-distance events like ultra marathons (or training sessions over 5 hours).
The high percentage of artery-clogging saturated fats in coconut oil should not be taken lightly. For comparison, olive oil contain 13 percent saturated fats and canola oil only 7 percent.

All in all, coconut oil doesn't really make the grade. Stick with oils like olive, canola, and grape seed, while the lauric acid content is not as high, they are nutritionally sound. Good to know!

Source

The Pros and Cons of Snacking

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 07:30:00 PDT

Snacking has endured a bad reputation for a very long time, but it seems to be coming back into vogue. There are pros and cons to the habit and one should never snack mindlessly, of course!

Here are some of the pros and cons to snacking.

The Pros

Snacking can fill nutritional gaps and boost your intake of fruits and veggies. This of course is only true if you are snacking on fresh fruits and veggies which I highly recommend. Peaches and cherry tomatoes are phenomenal this time of year and make tasty snacks.
Snacking can keep your mood on an even keel, when you feel like your blood sugar is sinking it is easy to feel "low,"
Snacks can help with appetite and weight control since they can prevent over indulgence at meals.
Snacking, spreading meals and calories, might require less insulin and might reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Cons

The danger in snacking is that it can add extra calories to your day. By unconsciously adding 100 calories per day beyond the calories you burn can make you gain 10 pounds in a year.
Snacking should mirror your over all diet philosophy of moderation (yep, my favorite concept).
If you find yourself too hungry, when you are reaching for a snack, you might end up reaching for something loaded with calories. So plan your snacks ahead of time.

Looking for a healthy snack? Check out all these ideas for your next snack attack.

The Pros and Cons of Office Romance

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:15:37 PST

Dating a co-worker can be a thrilling and wonderful thing - that is until the relationship falters. Here are seven pros and cons of dating (and breaking up with) a co-worker so you know what to expect before you decide to get involved.

Pro: Forbidden love can be hot and passionate.
Con: You might have to keep your relationship a secret from co-workers. If the office does find out, it can quickly turn into a awkward situation, and if you do eventually break up, it can become even more unpleasant and humiliating.

Pro: You have an insider's understanding of their work ethic and how they communicate with others. You can talk openly and honestly about current projects or co-workers.
Con: You might not agree with their business decisions or attitude towards co-workers.

Pro: You have the rare opportunity to see each other when you are the most energetic, motivated, and sharp.
Con: If you get in a fight or break up, you'll have to conceal your personal feelings toward one another at the office.

Read on for more pros and cons.