FitSugar

Get Rid of Unwanted Hair: Sugaring

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Unwanted hair - it's a fact of life. Many women choose to shave or wax, but there might just be a sweeter way. Have you ever heard of sugaring?

Also known as Persian Waxing, it's a method of hair removal that has been around for thousands of years. Similar to waxing, it's supposed to be less painful because it only sticks to the hair, unlike wax which also sticks to your skin.

It's made out of all natural ingredients including sugar (honey or molasses is sometimes used instead), lemon juice, and water. You can play around with different recipes and do it yourself, but I recommend having a professional do it for you.

First, the area is dusted with powder, then warm sugar solution is applied and spread around with a tongue depressor. A porous piece of cloth is then pressed onto your skin. Just like waxing, the strip is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction the hair grows.

Fit's Tips: If you want to stir up a batch of your own, make sure you have a candy thermometer. You can buy pre-made sugar solutions such as Moom and Nad's and have a regular hair removal party!

Run, Sugar Run: Join the RunningSugar Community

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:08 -0800

For me, running is not a love it or hate it issue. Like most relationships, my feelings about this form of fitness are more complicated. I like to think of it as an ongoing conversation. Sometimes runs bring me joy, and other times they feel like work. Regardless, when I'm done I am more at peace with the world.

If you run for pleasure, exercise, or some other reason, come join the ongoing conversation about the sport at RunningSugar. It's a section of the FitSugar Community dedicated to runners. Whether you consider yourself a runner or not, if you lace up your running shoes regularly, or even just semi-regularly, the group is rather inspirational. From the NYC Marathon to the best way to wear your hair when logging miles, RunningSugar covers a lot of ground.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:50:01 -0800

Autumn is upon us, and if the cooler weather is inspiring you to snuggle up with your honey, remember to take care of yourself. Regularly splitting a bottle of wine with your sweetheart can impact your weight. Here are a few other ways your relationship could be increasing your waistline. Check out our favorite FitSugar stories from the week and find out how a few celebs are battling the bulge. We also have a great workout for you to try by celeb trainer David Kirsch.
Source: Getty

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FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:50:03 -0800

You can go easy on the butter in your mashed potatoes when you use Yukon Gold spuds.
New Moon star Nikki Reed says hiking with her boyfriend is her fitness secret.
How well do you know the calorie counts of Starbucks's holiday drinks?
Worried about falling off the healthy wagon? Here are eight ways to get back on track.
I'm curious to know how many days a week you work out.
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz firmly believes in taco night and baby weights.
If you're starting to strength train, check out this guide to beginning weights for lifting.
Learn just how long you need to exercise in order to burn off a slice of T-day pumpkin pie.
I have some great gift ideas for the healthy cook in your life.
Learn a bit more about the fat-burning zone.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:50:08 -0700

Power up your weekend breakfast with oatmeal - it fights fat. If you're curious to lean four more foods that battle bulge, check out this list of five foods that fight fat. Don't worry about flavor, you can liven up your oats and keep them low cal with these simple and tasty tricks. From oatmeal to the Octomom, we covered a lot on FitSugar this week. Check out our favorite stories of the week when you start the slideshow.

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What Time Do You Like to Train?

Fit Community — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:47:21 -0800

Jennsteria wants to know what time of day you choose to train, and posted this poll to our RunningSugar community group:

I used to be a hardcore 5am up and at 'em runner. It was most convenient for my work schedule at the time and when my training runs got longer, I was able to fit them in during the day and still lead a normal life. Nowadays I've been favoring the end of day runs along the beach to catch the sunset (also the time change/weather have played a part in this). I've been trying to get back to my early morning training . . . it's a work in progress. Do you label yourself a morning or late night runner? Or are you all over the map like I am right now?

Have any questions or stories about running that you want to share? Join our Running community group and join the conversation! If you're not a runner, be sure to take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone.

Guess Which Contains More Sugar?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:30:28 -0700

Many processed foods are loaded with added sugar these days. Since you want to limit your added sugar intake to 40 grams a day, it's important to know the sugar content in the foods you eat. Are you sugar savvy? Take this quiz to find out.

Question 1 of 6

Which yogurt flavor contains more sugar?

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:50:09 -0700

This week on FitSugar we have been in full Fall mode - from apple snacks to fit Halloween costumes. One of our favorite activities in Autumn is running, but is it safe to run when you're pregnant? Learn the answer here and check out this slideshow for some of our favorite stories from the week.

Source: Bauer-Griffin Online

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DrSugar Answers: Prediabetes and Blood Sugar Struggles

DrSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:30:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I was diagnosed last year with prediabetes. I'm 32, caucasian, and have a BMI of 22. I do a variety of exercise, including 30 to 60 minutes of running, climbing stairs, and weightlifting at least five days a week. I've had healthy eating habits (high fiber, low fat, low added sugar, whole grains, low glycemic index foods, etc.) for years. My only risk factor seems to be genetic.

My fasting blood glucose levels, however, are steadily creeping higher and are now in the middle of the "prediabetes" range at 112 mg/dL. My last HbA1c level was at six percent. I'm at a loss for what else I can do to help keep my blood sugar from rising further. My doctor just tells me to watch my carbs. Any advice? Thanks!
Blood Sugar Sweetie

To see DrSugar's advice and to learn more about prediabetes, read more.

Thanks for this question. Prediabetes is a very common problem estimated to affect around 57 million Americans. The condition is defined as a fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125, and according to your test you're clearly in the middle of that range. Diabetes is defined as any fasting blood sugar above 125. The HbA1c test, a measure your average blood sugar over about six weeks, is considered normal at under six percent - so you are just above normal. Prediabetes is an important health condition to recognize and take seriously because it suggests you are at risk for progression to diabetes and all of its complications. Common risk factors for developing prediabetes include being overweight, physical inactivity, age over 45, family history, and non-caucasian ethnicity. As you said, it sounds like your only risk factor is family history, which is unfortunately not modifiable. This is similar to having a family history of high cholesterol. Sometimes doing all the right things in terms of healthy living is not enough to overcome our genetic makeup.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things in terms of preventing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. These interventions, as you’ve mentioned, include taking part in some form of aerobic activity almost every day and avoiding foods with a high glycemic index. Your BMI is also ideal, so I would not recommend trying to lose weight to help lower your blood sugar. If your BMI was over 25 this might be a different story. Sometimes doing all the right things is not enough. Some doctors treat prediabetes with low doses of diabetes medications such metformin, but this remains controversial. I think watching your carb intake is a good basic principle, but the glycemic index is better in terms judging a foods affect on blood sugar.

If your struggle with prediabetes continues, it might be useful to seek the help of an endocrinologist, a diabetes specialist. For more basic information, try the American Diabetes Association.

Have a question for DrSugar? Send it by private messaging me here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:50:11 -0800

Trying to stay healthy this Fall? Adopt some of the eight habits of the super healthy.
Party girl Kate Hudson gives up booze to drop weight for a role.
More on exercise and weight loss.
Tell me which Autumn food or bevvy is under 200 calories.
Lay off the diet soda; it could be damaging your kidneys.
Reasons not to worry about shaking when doing hard exercises.
Test your knowledge on calorie burn of Fall activities.
Catch up with Victoria Beckham and then read about Tara Costa from last season of The Biggest Loser.
Check out these seven kitchen gadgets that inspire healthy cooking.
ICYMI: find out the winners of the New York City Marathon and learn how the celebs fared.