FitSugar

Forget the Scale, How About a Bod Pod?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 14:30:00 -0700

If you have a hard time stepping onto the scale, imagine stepping into the Bod Pod...

The Bod Pod is the latest in measuring body composition. Instead of underwater weighing, skin fold and circumference measuring or even a scale, your doctor (or personal trainer) may ask you to step inside the Bod Pod. This futuristic contraption will measure your body composition (fat mass and lean mass) in about 5 minutes flat.

There is something about this that totally reminds me of that look into the future ride at Epcot circa 20 years ago and I can't stop saying the name, Bod Pod, Bod Pod... However, this is actually a great device for fitness professionals. Don't be replacing your bathroom scale/body fat measurer just yet, because aside from the fact that it is absolutely huge, the Bod Pod is a bit on the pricey side. About $42,000 on the pricey side. Yikes -- I'll be sticking to the old fashioned ways myself, but you can check it out at BodPod.com.

Gear Review: Outdoor Research Winter Running Gloves

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Running outside is feeling pretty chilly these days, especially on my hands. I just picked up a pair of thin, lightweight running gloves that are perfect for keeping my fingers warm - the Women's PL 110 Gloves ($24) by Outdoor Research.

I love that these gloves have a thin fleece lining that's comfy and warm. When it's super cold out, I slide my fingers out of the finger holes and hold my hands in a fist. When my hands heat up, I slide my fingers in their respective slots and they cool off. The outside is similar to softshell material; it's smooth and contours to my hands. I also love that these gloves are tight all over, especially by my wrists, so no air can make its way into the glove to create a chilly draft. The only thing I don't like is that the fabric has started to pill on the palms of gloves. That's just cosmetic though, and I can deal since they do an excellent job keeping my hands toasty. If you don't want to spend a lot of dough, you can pick up a pair of the gloves in blue for only $10 at Gearx.com. What a deal!

5 Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:57:53 -0700

As he aged, my grandfather developed type 2 diabetes, and since the disease can be hereditary, I've become especially aware of ways I can prevent it. The condition occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or if your body doesn't recognize insulin and is unable to use it properly. If you're worried about developing type 2 diabetes, here are five things you can do to help prevent it.

Since obesity plays a big role in developing type 2 diabetes, maintain a healthy weight by eating appropriate portion sizes.
Get moving. Exercise not only prevents obesity, but it also improves your body's use of insulin.
Go for whole grains. Research shows that a diet rich in whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal can reduce a person's risk for type 2 diabetes.

For the last two prevention techniques, keep on reading.

Two Winter Running Essentials

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:22 -0800

If a little cold, snow, and ice won't keep you from running outside, then I'm with you. Nothing beats Winter running, because it feels so good to breathe in the cool, crisp air. Plus you hardly ever have to worry about overheating, like you do in the Summer. You do need to outfit yourself with some quality gear in order to stay warm and dry. Here are two essentials I don't head outside for a run without.

For my noggin, I'm in love with the Smartwool Basic Cuffed Beanie ($25). Your head loses a lot of heat, so you need to keep it warm while running in the Winter air. Wear a hat that's too thick or warm, and you'll end up sweating and your head will freeze. On the other hand, if you wear a hat that's too thin, you'll end up with a cold head, and for me, that translates to a headache. This Smartwool Beanie, made of a double layer of merino wool, is thick enough to warm your head and ears, but the wool wicks moisture away from your scalp and forehead in case you start to sweat. If you get really hot, this hat is so flexible, you can easily ball it up and stuff it in your pocket. Not a fan of purple? It also comes in other colors: black, white, and stripes.

Check out my new favorite running mittens when you read more.

I used to wear lightweight fleece-lined running gloves from Outdoor Research, but on super chilly days, I'd end up balling my hands up inside to keep my fingers warm. Then I discovered that OR makes lightweight mittens. They sent me a pair of PL 400 Mitts ($35) to try, and as soon as I slipped then on, my hands instantly felt warm and cozy. They're lined with a double layer of fleece, so they're extra warm for bitterly cold days. These mitts are actually meant to be liners for ski or snowboarding mittens, but they work great on their own for Winter running. My hands stayed completely toasty, and toward the end of my run, my palms even started to sweat a little. So I took them off and used the hand clips to attach the mittens to each other so they wouldn't get lost. I love the handy loops sewn to the opening of each mitten to make them easier to pull on. Another great feature is that the outer palm of each mitten and thumb has silicone grippy stuff on it, so you can easily pick up your iPod if it falls or hold on to your dog's leash.

All you Winter runners out there will love these two pieces of gear. If you're struggling with the simple act of staying warm and dry, these two essentials have got you covered. Love running no matter the weather? Then join RunningSugar our community group dedicated to running.

Skiing Essentials For Your Head and Toes

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:30:35 -0800

'Tis the season to hit the slopes. Yee haw! But if you're not well prepared, a day on the mountain can be pretty miserable. I have found that if my toes and my ears are warm, I am a happy skier. This is why I was stoked to test some gear a few cold weather gear companies sent my way.

I skied recently on a couple of seriously snowy windy days up in the Lake Tahoe area and was amazed that my toes stayed warm with the Women's Ski Light ($21) by Teko. This is the greenest sock around, made of merino wool in factories powered by wind. It is the perfect combination of thickness and wicking, with a little extra shin padding for your tight boots. This sock is thin, so you can keep your boots tight, but it manages to perfectly insulate your toes from the elements. Though the socks do stretch out a bit easily, I think they will hold up well as long as they don't get thrown in the drier.

As for my head, it was completely covered with the Alpine Hat ($28) by Outdoor Research, made of windproof fleece. This hat is cut to cover your ears, which is essential for the lift time on windy days. The hat fit perfectly under my ski helmet, for it is thin yet warm. My head stayed quite toasty when I went sledding sans helmet too. What this hat might lack in cuteness, it makes up for with practicality and warmth.

Have you hit the slopes yet this season?

Do You Take Birth Control Pills?

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:25:04 -0800

Some good news just came in for women on the pill. In a new study, British researchers discovered that those who took birth control pills lived longer than those who didn't. The study followed 46,000 women for nearly 40 years, most of whom were on the pill for about four years. Experts found that the pill reduced women's risk for bowel cancer by 38 percent and other diseases by 12 percent. Being on the pill may also cut a woman's risk for ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Researchers aren't sure why the pill would increase longevity in women. It may have to do with suppressing ovulation or the fact that women on the pill generally live healthier lifestyles. What they do know is that the benefits of taking the pill definitely outweigh the risks. So tell me . . .

Guinness - It Really Is Good For You!

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:30:35 -0800

Happy almost St. Patrick's Day, and TGIF! Now is the time of year that we celebrate our country's Irish heritage by knocking back some Jameson whiskey and a pint or two of Guinness. Oh, and we wear a lot of green and eat Irish soda bread too. Before you start feeling too bad about the alcohol and carb overload, you'll be glad to know that all those ads from the 1920s that read "Guinness Is Good For You" were no joke.

When tested on dogs, antioxidants in Guinness helped reduce blood clots and slow down deposits of cholesterol on the artery walls. It looks like a little bit of Guinness may be heart healthy, then. Researchers say that a pint a day may work as well as a low dose of aspirin in preventing heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks.

Some other reasons you may want to enjoy a pint of beer on St. Patty's Day or this weekend: better bones, weight management, and a better memory. This is not a license to go out and get wasted though. As always, everything is better in moderation! And remember: don't drink and drive.

Food Review: Luna Protein Bar

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:58 -0800

The folks over at Luna did some field research before creating the brand's new protein bar, simply named Luna Protein. After researching women's snacking habits, Luna found that women want snacks to keep them full, but that the female snacker often overlooks the filling properties of protein. So the company created a new bar chock-full of 12 grams of the filling macronutrient. The Luna Protein bar comes in three flavors: chocolate peanut butter, cookie dough, and chocolate cherry almond.

To see how the Luna Protein bars taste and if they're truly filling, read more.

All three bars are reminiscent of candy bars, yet without being too sweet. And they all definitely satisfy the craving for chocolate. Luna sent me all three flavors to try; the chocolate peanut butter is my favorite, because I'm kind of a peanut butter fiend. I tested out the filling qualities of the bars by using them to ward off hunger during long stretches between meals, and the added protein seemed to help. I like pairing the bars with a piece of fruit. I wouldn't use this bar (or any bar for that matter) as a meal replacement, but the Luna Protein bar is a great post-gym treat. It certainly tides me over while cooking my dinner.

At 180 calories a pop, these bars are better for your waistline than a Snickers and have about half the sugar too. Plus, Luna products are fortified with nutrients most women need: iron, folic acid, and calcium. I will be keeping a stash of the peanut butter flavor in my gym bag for sure.

Get in Gear: Oasis Sun Hat by Outdoor Research

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. So why not wear a nice wide brimmed hat in addition to applying sunscreen. Hats shield the blinding sun from your eyes, protect your scalp, keep the UV rays off your face, neck, and shoulders, and can help shade you from the hot sun, keeping you cooler.

I found this one called the Oasis Sombrero Sun Hat ($30). It's great for hiking, kayaking, gardening or just hanging on the beach - it's like your own personal shade umbrella. It's made of SolarShield™ fabric that has UPF 50+ protection, and it's collapsible, so you can easily pack it in your bag. Inside the hat there is a Coolmax® mesh headband to absorb sweat, and the chin cord is removable. What's my favorite part about this sun hat? The brim is made with foam, so if your hat blows into the water, it'll float!

Buy an Oasis Sun Hat from Eastern Mountain Sports so you can enjoy nature without worrying about the damaging effects of the sun.

DrSugar Answers: Petroleum Products Safe Around the Eyes?

DrSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:30:12 -0800

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering a question about treating wrinkles.

Dear DrSugar,
I have noticed the fine lines around my eyes becoming not so fine. I know it is just basic aging, but I would like to slow the process down. My sister said to put petroleum jelly (she uses Aquaphor) around my eyes at night. I've never used an eye cream before and am not really a fan of petroleum jelly - it just doesn't seem like a good idea to put a petroleum product on my skin, especially by my eyes. Is it safe? Will my body absorb dangerous chemicals?
- Concerned About Chemicals

I’m going to admit that I had to do some reconnaissance in my local drugstore to research this question. This research involved reading the labels of both regular petroleum jelly and Aquaphor (a Eucerin product). I also did the inevitable Google search for "Aquaphor" and for "fine lines and wrinkles." As a woman in her early 30s, this question interested me a bit personally as, like the reader, I am definitely noticing some little lines and crevices on my face! To learn more about the aging process and if you should be treating it with Vaseline, keep on reading.