FitSugar

Keep It Moving While on the Move

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Traveling can be rough on your daily routines, including your bodily functions. Changing times zones or just eating the processed carbs they hand out on planes these days can make it hard to keep your intestines moving. So here are some tips on how to stay "regular" when traveling.

Drink water whenever you can as your choice of beverage. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it'll also keep things moving.
When traveling, bring your own snacks. Nibble on carrot sticks, apples (with the peel), trail mix with dried fruit, LARABARS, and Go Lean Crunchy! bars. These all have tons of fiber.
During meals, make sure to include fresh salads and fruits, cooked veggie dishes, beans, and whole grains.
Pack some methylcellulose pills, such as Citrucel. They're made of 100 percent soluble fiber, so they'll help you go, and for most people, they don't cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

Source

When Did You First Start Working Out?

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:30:03 -0800

A little workout nostalgia - I was just thinking back to when I first started exercising, thanks in large part to my dad. Outside of required gym class or a sports team, I was trying to remember when fitness became important to me, and landed right at about eighth grade.

Around the end of middle school, beginning of high school, I started to pay attention to other girls and the way my own body was shaping up. At the same time, I was being exposed to new ways to work out. During high school, I was offered the choice of a regular P.E. class, or a semester of yoga and Pilates. I chose the latter and have been hooked ever since. Additionally, my dad used to ask me along to his training sessions at the gym, where working with his trainer helped to give me a better understanding of fitness and what I could do on my own to stay healthy.

Since then, I've made a conscious decision to keep myself fit - a lifestyle choice that I attribute to such a great introduction to working out during my early high school years. Obviously fitness is important at any age, but I'm curious, when did you first get into a fitness routine?

Are Occasional Breaks From the Pill Necessary?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:50:05 -0700

Almost every woman I know has been on the pill at some point in her life, and many of us started when we were under 20 years old. It has many health benefits, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies, decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer, and alleviating PMS symptoms. The one big negative about the pill is that statistics show being on it for longer than 10 years puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer. Women may also be worried that taking hormones for so long may affect their chances of having a baby in the future. So does it make sense to take regular vacations from the pill to give your body some hormone-free time?

To find out if this is a good idea, read more.

While it's common to think that taking occasional breaks from the pill is beneficial for your body, it's actually not necessary. It's a myth that may have started a while back, since the very first birth control pills contained high doses of hormones. Today's pills contain a much lower amount so they're completely safe to take for years at a time. Doctors actually think it's healthier for your body to remain on the pill. The fluctuations in hormones can have a negative effect on your body, both physically and emotionally. Plus, all the symptoms you experienced when you first started the pill such as moodiness, sore breasts, or yeast infections may show up again.

What about your fertility? You may be worried that staying on the pill continuously for many years will make it harder to get pregnant when you decide to start a family. There's no evidence that being on the pill has any effect on a woman's future ability to conceive - it merely prevents pregnancy while a woman is on it. In fact, regularly going on and off the pill may increase your chances of having an unplanned pregnancy since your protection isn't consistent.

Most importantly, if you've been on the pill forever, you'll be happy to know that as soon as you go off it your risk for developing breast cancer begins to go back to normal over time. If you're worried about your risk, or the whole idea of putting hormones in your body doesn't sit well with you, talk to your doctor about hormone-free alternatives such as the ParaGard IUC. A permanent vacation from the pill might be the better option, as opposed to a break.

Is Running While Pregnant Safe?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:52 -0700

It's not every day that you see a pregnant woman going for a run, like Miss Kourtney Kardashian here. On her hour-long jog, I'm sure she got some stares and whispers. Not just because she's famous, but because she's got a big bun in the oven. They're probably wondering, is this safe for her baby, and safe for mom?

Regular exercise is encouraged by doctors for those expecting, because it can help a woman stay healthy, and alleviate some of the discomforts like stiffness, back pain, leg cramping, or constipation. Working out can also prevent unnecessary weight gain, relieve stress, and get a woman ready to endure the physical challenges of labor.

With that said, there are some guidelines a pregnant woman should follow when working out.

Don't make any big changes to your exercise program once you become pregnant. If you were running regularly before you conceived, then it's safe to keep it up, as long as it feels good and you don't overdo it. If you want to start a new type of exercise, talk to your doc first.
Be OK with modifying your routine, especially as your pregnancy progresses. If you used to run four miles a day, you may find that you'll need to cut down in the beginning of your pregnancy. And once you're in the end of your second trimester, or third, walking may be best.
Don't do any types of exercise that put you or the baby at risk, like extreme sports that require balance, speed, or could result in you falling. Your doctor will probably recommend you save the surfing, skiing, horseback riding, biking outdoors, and rock climbing for after delivery.

For the rest keep reading

Health Headlines: Shame, Sanitizer, and Fit Immune Systems

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

After nursing two sick children last week, these headlines caught my attention, since staying well is always on my mind.

Shame "Boosts Hand Washing Rate" - BBC
"Is the person next to you washing with soap?" This is the shaming message used to scare Brits using public restrooms into washing their hands . . . with soap. This big brother-like query was more effective than, although not as cute as, in my opinion, the phrase, "Don't be a dirty soap dodger."

Does Exercise Boost Immunity? - New York Times
According to a couple of studies, the answer is a qualified yes. It is regular, moderate exercise that helps you fight off bugs. Too much vigorous exercise seems to suppress the immune systems, leaving endurance athletes at a disadvantage as marathon season wraps up and flu season begins.

Flu Worries Pump Up Sales of Hand Sanitizer - NPR
The stock market might be making a slow turnaround, but hand sanitizer sales are bumping. In the US, we spent over $117 million on the gel-based cleaners last year. Fear of the H1N1 virus and the back-to-school season made for a 50 percent increase in hand sanitizer sales in August 2009 over the same month the previous year.

How to Avoid Catching the Swine Flu

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

We're pretty familiar with how to prevent catching a regular cold or the flu, but the swine flu seems like a whole new ball of wax (or phlegm, in this case). Since swine flu seems to be spreading quickly, you want to do whatever you can to keep from catching the H1N1 virus. Here are some precautions you can take.

Wash your hands often with soap and hot water (don't just rinse with water). Lather up for at least 20 seconds, or long enough to sing your ABC's.
Avoid touching common things that others come in contact with such as doorknobs, railings, handles on the subway, elevator buttons, magazines in the doctor's office, public phones, pens at the bank, etc. If you can't help it, refrain from touching your nose, mouth, or eyes until you can get to a bathroom to wash your hands.
When you're at the gym, disinfect all equipment before you use it in case the person before you forgot. Bring your own towel, use your own yoga mat, and wash your hands before leaving the gym.

To see how else you can protect yourself, read more.

Keep hand sanitizers in your purse, car, and at work so you can kill germs when you can't get to a sink.
If swine flu cases have turned up in your area, consider avoiding public places. Those infected with swine flu can be contagious before showing symptoms.
If you're really paranoid, wearing a high quality respiratory mask can offer some protection.
Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. All these things will strengthen your immune system.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women, those who work with children, and those who work in the medical field are at a higher risk for catching swine flu. So if you're in this group, think about getting vaccinated against the swine flu.
If you start feeling flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, chills, or body aches, don't go to work. Stay at home and get better. If your symptoms worsen, call your doctor. If you test positive for swine flu, they can prescribe Tamiflu.

You Asked: Working Out Buzzed?

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:06 -0700

Hey Fit,
I had post-work appetizers and drinks with a girlfriend last night, and as we departed she said she was heading to the gym. Granted, we each had two light beers over maybe an hour and 20 minutes, but it surprised me that she'd go work out after a couple drinks. She said she doesn't do it all the time, but if she's not feeling too tipsy it actually helps her kind of zone out and get into her workout, and by the time she's finished any possible buzz is gone. Is this healthy to do?
- mamasitamalita

There are days when we try to pack it all in: work, catching up with friends, working out. With the recent news that folks who drink regularly tend to exercise more, I suspect this dilemma is increasingly common. To see what I have to say on the matter, keep reading.

Moldable Moji Ice Packs

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:34:54 -0700

We all do what we can to prevent injuries, but if you're an active person, sometimes you can't avoid it. Chronic back and knee pain are the most common ailments. If you've seen a doctor or physical therapist, they probably recommended you ice your boo-boo regularly. Common flat ice packs can be annoying to use though, since they're slippery and don't stay where you need them to. If this is an issue for you, check out these moldable fabric ice packs from Moji.

They have ones for your back ($99) and knees ($85). They stay cold for the recommended 20 minutes, and because you can get a snug fit, the compression can also offer support and extra relief from pain. The pack is made of soft fabric that can sit next to your skin without causing stinging or irritation, so you can wear these packs under your clothes if you want to. They may be expensive, but isn't your comfort priceless?

Itchy Legs and Running

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:50:57 -0700

It's a beautiful September day. There's a cool breeze blowing, not a cloud in the sky, and it's inspired you to lace up your sneaks after taking a break from running all Summer. A few minutes into it, you start to experience an itchy sensation all over your legs, and it's so overwhelming that you have to stop running to scratch. What gives?

The reason our skin itches is because of what's happening inside our bodies. The millions of tiny capillaries and arteries in your muscles begin to expand rapidly as your heart rate increases, and blood is flowing quicker. If you're a fit person, your capillaries stay open to allow for maximum blood passage. If you're out of shape, your capillaries tend to collapse and don't allow as much blood to pass through. When your capillaries expand, they cause adjacent nerves to send messages to the brain, which reads the sensation as itching. I hate to say it, but this is the price some people pay for falling off the exercise wagon. To prevent itchy legs, keep up with your regular exercise routine.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:50:01 -0700

Alicia Silverstone helps the planet by gardening naked.
You can satisfy your sweet tooth with snacks under 200 calories.
Tell me, what kind of stomach do you have?
Is diet soda healthier than regular? Read and learn.
Check out my September must haves. They'll help you stay fit as the seasons change.
With so many ways to top a bagel, how do you choose?
Drinking alcohol could motivate you to exercise.
Tone your shoulders with these simple moves.
Can you name the yoga pose?