FitSugar

Is Your Anxiety Level In Overtime?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:30:00 -0800

Everyone can relate to feeling anxious at one time or another. Maybe you're nervous to meet your boyfriend's parents, or you're worried about an upcoming doctor's appointment. It's totally normal to feel this way, and it can actually help you cope.

Having an Anxiety Disorder is a lot different. You can feel worried, anxious, or shy for no reason. Your heart starts pounding, your stomach is in knots, you start sweating. You can't see straight or think straight. Anxiety can take over so you can't get normal day to day things done.

There's a few different kinds. Panic Disorder involves unexpected episodes of intense fear and terror that causes physical symptoms like chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness or tummy problems.

People who have Social Anxiety Disorder have a persistent and intense fear of social situations, of being watched or judged, or of being around people in general. Physical symptoms include profuse sweating, trembling, nausea or difficulty talking.

If you can relate to any of these disorders, you should seek professional help if possible. If not, please remember you are not alone and look on the internet or in the phone book for low cost/no cost resources to help you.

A Little Yoga Insight You May Not Learn From Your Instructor

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:10 -0800

Sure, practicing yoga is all about health and wellness, but Smart Money knows that it is also booming business. There are some aspects of yoga class that may not be in keeping with the healthy lifestyle you seek - just don't expect your yoga instructor to let you in on them. Here are a few pointers for staying healthy while practicing yoga, and remember that even when taking a fitness class led by an instructor, it's best to think for yourself to figure out what feels right and what practices work best for you.

Your Instructor May Be New to Yoga Too - With all of the various certification programs around, there's a range of skill that's being taught to instructors. "The problem is that there’s no real standard for how much teacher training is required of instructors, so almost anyone can lead a yoga class," writes Smart Money. It's best to try out a class before you commit, and learn where the instructor trained.
Yoga Mats Aren't Just For the Die-Hard Yogi - Bringing your own mat to class doesn't mean you can do full lotus. It's simply good hygiene. Yoga studio owner Ann Merlo told Smart Money, "One of the key elements of yoga is cleanliness." Sure, many studios hose down the mats after a few sessions, but there's no guarantee they do. With all the contagions flying around this flu season, it just might be worth it to spring for your own mat and avoid catching a bug.

To learn more about how to make the most of your yoga time, read more.

It's OK If You Don't Want to Be Touched - Yoga tends to cultivate a very intimate atmosphere in the studio, and many members of the class may feel totally at ease with the instructor helping them into a pose (which is fairly common), but that doesn't mean that you do. "A thoughtful teacher should always tell you that he’s going to touch you," writes Smart Money, and all adjustments should be done with professionalism. However, if you'd prefer not to be touched at all, don't be shy about speaking up and making your preference clear.
The Advanced Class May Not Be For You - While yoga instructors may ask some general questions about your level of experience before a class begins, no one is likely to turn you away from a session that may be too advanced for you. Yoga requires serious strength and flexibility. The article suggests calling the studio beforehand to find a class appropriate for your ability.

To find out exactly what else your yoga instructor may not be telling you, get up to speed with all of SmartMoney's tips, and be sure to check out our Yoga Stretch and Tell Group to connect with fellow yogis and share your questions, stories, and advice.

Bashful Bladder?

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

We've all got to use public restrooms. Nobody likes it, but it's a fact of being human.

Some people find it difficult or impossible to urinate in the presence of others, in public facilities, or even in their own homes. Some people can't pee if there is pressure about time, if other people are present and might hear them, or if others are waiting for them to go, or if traveling in moving vehicles.

I've heard it called bathroom "stage fright," or shy bladder. But it's actually a social anxiety disorder called paruresis.

7% of the public (about 17 million) people suffer from having a bashful bladder. If you can relate to this - find a support group or therapist. They can offer helpful solutions so the next time you go to the bathroom in public you'll be able to go.

In the News: Eating Disorders

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

In a society where "thin" is often equated with attractive, it is no surprise that women are 10 times more likely to suffer from bulimia than men. I have noticed lately that more research is being done on the complexities of eating disorders and the national discussion on this topic is becoming, well, more robust. Here are a few stories, studies and interviews on this subject that I wanted to share with you all.

At MSNBC, I just read that more research is being done on purging disorder. It is similar in many ways to bulimia, but more difficult to detect. Those that suffer from purging disorder are normal weights and they don't binge eat. They do, however, feel compelled to purge, usually by vomiting, even after eating only a small or normal amount of food. There are also long term health consequences associated with this disorder.

USA Today is reporting on behaviors that are considered precursors to anorexia. Women and girls who feel uncomfortable eating in public may be at risk for developing unhealthy relationships with food.

Binge Eating Disorder is a fairly common eating disorder and it has received more attention lately in the press. iVillage has created a quiz to help you determine if you have a problem with binge eating. It is an interesting diagnostic quiz and will get you thinking about your relationship with food.

Leslie at Weighting Game recently interviewed Dr. Stacey from the blog Every Woman Has an Eating Disorder. Dr. Stacey is a clinical psychologist and although the title of her blog might seem a little exaggerated, she feels women think about food and our bodies too much. Basically, we are not so healthy in our healthy obsessions.

If you are looking for some help on any of these issues, check out Something-Fishy. It is a great pro-recovery website dedicated to helping people recover from eating disorders.

Can Grapefruit Interfere With Medications?

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:08 -0700

Orange and grapefruit juices are great sources of potassium and vitamin C, but some of you said you shy away from grapefruit - not because you don't love the taste, but because it interferes with the effectiveness of certain medications. It's true. There are chemical compounds in grapefruit known as furanocoumarins (FCs) that affect the enzymes in the intestines and liver that break down meds.

There's a list of drugs that doctors insist you avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking, because it can cause dangerously high levels of the drug in the blood, which can lead to serious side effects. Pomelos and Seville oranges, a type of bitter orange often used to make marmalade, should also be avoided.

To see a list from the Mayo Clinic of which meds may be affected by grapefruit, keep reading

Speak Up: What Exercise Do You Find Most Intimidating?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:53 -0700

Even the most fervent fitness fanatics have things we just won't do. I'm all for taking up new fitness habits, but they don't always stick. I shy away from ice climbing, and I have friends who are terrified of surfing.

Some fitness fears are more basic: maybe you've always wanted to take group kickboxing classes, but the thought of keeping up with the steps keeps you up at night. Or perhaps you shudder at stepping into the free-weight section of your gym. So let's get it off our chests: what form of exercise do you find most intimidating, and why?

Wimbledon Finals

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:28:25 -0700

Always exciting, the Wimbledon championship matches seemed liked history repeating itself, but with the opposite outcomes. The Williams sisters battled it in the finals again this year, but with Serena coming out on top beating her older sister. This was Serena's third time winning Wimbledon, and by beating her sister she stopped Venus from winning the title for three years in a row. The sisters put any sibling rivalry behind them and ripped it up in the women's doubles finals, winning the title for the fourth time.

Check out some pics from the finals and read about the men's final.

Food Review: Fiber One Toaster Pastries

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:29:56 -0700

When I was in college, I had a serious Pop-Tarts weakness, though I don't let myself indulge in them anymore. However, I'll admit I was excited to try Fiber One's version, which isn't low-cal or really "healthy," but at least they're high in fiber! And who doesn't love fiber right?

Basically, if you like(d) Pop-Tarts, you'll love Fiber One Toaster Pastries, but if you shy away from processed foods, you'll probably steer clear of these too. The tarts come in blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, chocolate fudge, and strawberry, and of course I tried the chocolate. So is the indulgence worth it?

Get the Bod: Sandra Bullock

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:50:00 -0700

According to my pal Buzz, Sandra Bullock rocks the pencil skirt in her new film The Proposal.

This is no coincidence. According to InStyle Sandra wanted to "emulate her character and look buff and smashing in suits." Sounds like her hard work paid off. The lovely comedic actress doesn't shy away from variety; she mixes up her fitness routine. While in LA, Sandra incorporates Pilates, kick boxing, and weight training, including plyometrics, into her regimen. But back home in Austin, TX, she runs and rides her bike. The variety of fitness activities helps Sandra stay motivated and keeps workout boredom at bay. Always frank and funny, when asked if health was her sole motivation for working out, she replied:

"People ask, 'How do actresses do it?' Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film."

We could all take a page out of Sandra's playbook and work to keep our fitness routine fresh even if we don't have to wear pencil skirts on the silver screen.

What's the Deal With: Sun Sneezes

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When I was younger, I had a friend who thought she was allergic to the sun because every time she stepped outside she sneezed. In fact, she taught me the trick of looking toward the sun, but never directly at it, to bring on a shy sneeze.

If you are not a sun sneezer, you might be surprised to know that this phenomenon has been recognized for over 40 years by the medical community, and they even gave it a scientific sounding name: photic sneezing reflex.

Sun sneezers are in the minority since the reflex only occurs in one out of four people. Studies suggest that it might be a dominant trait we inherit from our parents. It is believed that crossed neural pathways between the eyes and the nose, mouth, and chest cause sun sneezing. Bright light should make the pupils constrict, but for the photic sensitive, it does so much more! Tell me, are you a sun sneezer?

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