FitSugar

Aquafina Bottle Water Comes from Tap

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Earlier this week, I posted that NYC was urging residents to drink tap water, and you may unknowingly be doing just that. Yep, although you might have already suspected it, Aquafina bottled water is just tap water.

The news story isn't really that Aquafina, made by Pepsico, and Coca-Cola Co's Dasani are both made from purified water sourced from public reservoirs. Nope the news story is that Aquafina will be more explicit about that the bottled water is made with tap water. Look for the words "Public Water Source" on the bottles.

This is a concession to the growing environmental and political opposition to the bottled water industry. Critics of the bottled water industry argue that all those bottles add plastic to landfills and require a lot of energy to produce and ship. A lot more than just turning on the tap. Plus the industry undermines confidence in the public water supplies, which is ironically where Coke and Pepsi get their water.

And you? Are you trying to reduce the amount of plastic bottles of water you drink? Let me know in the comments section below. I will read them while I sip out of my Nalgene bottle.

Go Ahead Drink the Tap Water NYC

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Bottled water is getting a bad rap, have you noticed? Well not necessarily the water, but the bottle itself. Those plastic bottles are filling up our landfills. Since bottled water is a convenience beverage that we drink on the go, the bottles are rarely recycled. In fact Americans go through nearly 100 million plastic bottles every day and recycle roughly 25 percent of them. Yikes!!!! A lot of energy is expended making those bottles we only use once and then toss them.

In an effort to make the big apple greener, the city government is urging residents of NYC to drink tap water. The water in NYC is famous for making the best bagels and the best pizza dough, but the New Yorkers are taking some convincing - especially during summer. While the city water might be great, old pipes in old buildings still make residents wary of drinking out of the tap. Look for the "Get Your Fill" ad campaign and free plastic, blue refillable water bottles being handed out around New York this summer.

It looks like "the tap" is making a comeback.

Do you drink tap water? Do you filter it first? Or are you a bottled water only kind of gal? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Get in Gear: Strider Hydration Waistpack

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:30:00 -0700

This hot weather makes exercising outdoors tough. I used to go for a run and then come back and drink water, but because I'm sweating so much, I need to rehydrate while I workout.

One of my new favorite finds is this water waistpack known as Strider made by Ultimate Direction.

It is a waistpack so obviously you wear it around your waist, and the straps are adjustable so you can get it to fit as snug as you like it. The water bottle fits right into the curve of your lower back and the little zippered pouch rests on your left hip. The small amount of weight from the water bottle pressing on my lower back feels really comfortable.

It comes with a water bottle and the pack is so lightweight, I hardly feel it when I'm running or bike riding. The tiny pouch is 8 inches long, so it's big enough to fit some money, keys, cellphone, and a pack of tissues (or whatever other small items you like to have when exercising outside).

You can order it online from Rei.com for $30. It comes in black, as shown, or sage gray.

What's the Deal With: Hyponatremia

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

While it seems like most of us have a hard time staying hydrated, there are serious, even fatal, side affects to drinking too much water. The condition is called hyponatremia

Also known as water intoxication, hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood is diluted by excess water. The body's balance of electrolytes is pushed outside of safe limits, disrupting normal brain function. If water enters the body more quickly than it can be removed after intense sweating and sodium loss, body fluids are diluted and this can be a problem for marathoners. Because endurance runners lose sodium through sweat, drinking too much water during endurance activities, such as marathons and triathlons, can dilute the sodium content of your blood.

Some things to note:

Hyponatremia also occurs more often in women than in men.
Not being acclimated to hot weather can increase the amount of sodium you lose through sweating during exercise.
The symptoms of hyponatremia can mimic the symptoms of dehydration. Pay attention to a headache that won’t go away, vomiting and confusion. Seek help from a doctor.
To confirm low blood sodium, laboratory tests - including blood tests and possibly urine tests - are necessary.

Be safe when you run in the heat!!! Experiment with all those different sports drinks out there to find one that suits your needs.

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New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:49 -0800

If Kristen Stewart needs any help kicking her nicotine habit, she can look to her New Moon costar Nikki Reed for advice. In the last few months, Reed has given herself a bit of a lifestyle makeover, thanks in large part, as she told People, to her relationship with Greek shipping heir (and Paris Hilton ex) Paris Latsis.

Reed and Latsis have officially been out as a couple since Summer, which was the perfect time for Latsis to introduce Reed to all the outdoor sports he loves. The pair spent the season hiking, windsurfing, and water skiing, and as a result, Reed says, the pounds started dropping.

Besides having tons of fun, Reed was so inspired by her boyfriend's love of the outdoors that she became motivated to get into better shape. First things first, she quit smoking. Now Reed hits the gym for two hours a day and says that being active has made her "much happier."

Last week I shared with you some ways that your relationship might be making you fat, but keep in mind that as with Reed, relationships can have positive effects on health. I personally am healthier now that I'm with a partner who likes being active as much as I do. He and I love riding bikes, climbing, and going on long hikes together. Do any of you credit your relationship for making you healthier?

Are the Kardashians' QuickTrim Diet Products Quackery?

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:50:02 -0800

A very pregnant Kourtney Kardashian is having a hard time accepting her baby weight. Slim sis Kim says that "Kourtney is going crazy. She feels so big right now. She's just ready to have the baby." According to Us Weekly, sisters Kim and Khloe are both dieting with their QuickTrim diet products and expectant mom Kourtney is jealous because she sees how they're both losing weight.

I've got to admit that I'm sick of hearing about the Kardashians, and now they're promoting this diet product and proving that it works. Ever wonder what it is exactly, or if it's even healthy? My gut says it's not, so I decided to check out the website to see what I could dig up. Here's what I found: QuickTrim Fast Cleanse ($30) is a "lemonade flavored drink designed to help rid the body of excess water weight, belly bloating, and intestinal bulk." So are you supposed to drink these magic citrus beverages all day and that's it?

To hear more about QuickTrim and what the ingredients are, read more.

The Fast Cleanse drink I just described is one product made by QuickTrim. It contains many ingredients including pure lemon juice concentrate, chicory root (fiber), and aloe vera gel. Although it's made with natural ingredients, detoxing your body isn't necessary.

QuickTrim makes two other diet supplements, but these are in tablet form: Extreme Burn ($50) and Burn & Cleanse ($60). Extreme Burn claims to burn up to 8,000 extra calories per month. Burn & Cleanse is a 14-day diet system that promises to burn calories all day, and cleanse and detox you all night. They're made with ingredients such as cocoa extract, acai fruit extract, hyssop, false unicorn root, and green tea leaf extract. Sounds like a witch's potion to me. But at least you're instructed to take these tablets between meals, not in place of them.

These pills are supposed to stimulate your metabolism, maintain your blood sugar levels, burn fat and calories, and contain antioxidants to promote a happy mood. Safety-wise, QuickTrim products are not FDA-approved, so I'd skip them completely and save your moolah to buy things you know will help shed pounds, like a gym membership or fresh fruits and veggies. If you're trying to lose weight, don't fall for this quick-fix diet scam. As I've said before, the safest and most effective way to slim down is with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Gifts For the Fly Fisherman

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:04 -0800

Here at Sugar, holiday season is already in full swing - you better believe I've been making my list for who's been naughty and nice! To make gift shopping a breeze for you, we'll be offering up a bevy of gift ideas in the coming weeks for all the special fit folk in your life.

If you're like me, you have a man in your life that likes to fish. As a young girl, I always looked forward to weekend fishing trips with my dad, but I've since traded in my reel for a yoga mat and a day on the rocks. My dad is still going strong, though. Here are a few things I'm scoping out for him that may come in handy for the special fisherman in your life, too.

Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die ($16) Beautiful photographs and descriptions of the 50 best fly fishing spots in the world. This book gives the fish fanatic something to dream about, or inspiration for his next trip.
Tie-a-Fly ($22) Bob Henley's fly kits are an easy and inexpensive way to learn how to tie fly patterns. Each kit comes with enough material to tie 12 flies.
Gallatin Lanyard ($39) Every good fisherman needs to have his gear handy, and a lanyard is an easy way to keep the essentials within an arm's reach. It's padded with foam to keep the neck comfortable, and it has an adjustable length of nine to 27 inches.
Embroidered Clearwater Mesh Vest ($57) Even knee-deep in water, you still gotta look good! No fly fisherman is complete without his vest, and this one gets you remembered for the personal embroidered pocket.
Fly of the Month Club ($60-220) For three, six, or 12 months, the Fly of the Month Club will send that special someone premium flies right to their door.

Natalie Coughlin: From the Olympics to DWTS

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:50:41 -0700

Last season on Dancing With the Stars, we saw gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson win gold, and this year we're watching Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin compete on land.

She made it through the first week, dancing a salsa with Alec Mazo and wowed us last night with her quick step. Although busy dancing and rehearsing, Natalie took time out of her day to answer a few questions on topics ranging from Pilates to her opinion on the ban on high-tech swimsuits.

To learn what Natalie has to say, just read more.

FitSugar: I have read that you do Pilates. How does this method of exercise help your swimming? Since it is somewhat dance-based, do you think it will help you on DWTS?
Natalie Coughlin: Pilates is an awesome cross-training exercise for any sport because it focuses on functional movement. It relies on strength along with flexibility, which is perfect for both swimming and dance. My two favorite pieces of equipment are the Balanced Body Exo Chair and Pilates Arc. I personally own both, and they make a nice addition to my home gym.

FS: I loved your "I'm a runner" piece in Runner's World. Do you still run regularly? Do you ever participate in road races? Were you able to run before your wedding ceremony?
NC: My first and only road race was the H2O Audio Surf Monkey last month, which was a 5K run on a mixture of sand, cobbled rock, and pier. It was so much fun, although I had no idea how to run on sand or cobbled rock! A few days before my wedding, I got a little overzealous with my running and ended up straining my right obliques, which forced me to take a bit of a break. Oops! I still love running, but I'm currently spending five to six-plus hours dancing every day, so I'm taking a break. I don't think it would be a good idea to add any unnecessary stress to my feet or legs.

FS:Your swimming career has spanned two Olympics, and you're planning to compete in 2012 - how do you maintain focus in training over those four-year periods?
NC: My focus is constantly evolving. I took three months off immediately following the Athens Games and returned to competition with a series of two-day meets throughout the world. The short format of the meets along with the world travel kept me motivated and interested in swimming. After Beijing, I needed a much longer break both mentally and physically because I have been competing for 21 years now! Dancing With the Stars is providing me with an amazing competitive outlet in something so different than my sport.

FSWhat's your favorite core exercise?
NC: I use the TRX suspension system for strength training and I absolutely love the atomic push-up because it's a killer exercise that works your entire core and upper body.

FS: Is your running playlist different from your swimming playlist? If so, how?
NC: Nope! They're usually the same, but it changes depending on my mood. It can be anything from pop, rock, alternative, to hip-hop . . . and H2O Audio's new Interval lets me listen to multiple playlists in the water or while I'm out on a run.

FS: Swimming can be hard on the skin and hair. What are your go-to beauty products postswim?
NC: Oh dear! I love products . . . Pureology for my hair, Kinesys sunscreen for my face/body preswimming, Palmer's Cocoa Butter for my body post-swimming, and Oil of Olay SPF 15 for my face.

FS: How do you feel about the ban on high-tech swimsuits?
NC: I think it's a good idea because our sport can now get back to the swimming and eliminate the distraction of "who are you wearing?" Eliminating zippers and legs is strange because both have been a part of many of the suits for over a decade. Either way, I'm happy.

P.L.O.W. - Tunes about Water

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I usually listen to my iPod to get pumped up for a run, but sometimes I don't feel like huffing and puffing and getting all sweaty. Plus it takes a lot of energy to fully exert my body like that, so when my energy is low, I like to take my time and go for a nice long walk along the water. Not only is it great exercise, but it gives me a chance to be alone with my thoughts and really appreciate the gorgeous surroundings.

Since I love to walk along the beach or lakeside, this playlist is a tribute to everything water - rivers, streams and even rain. After all, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for crisp, refreshing, glorious water.

Want to see it? Then read more

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Reasons to Choose Tap Water Over Bottled

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:36 -0700

Sipping bottled water has become such a habit for people trying to live healthier - think Jennifer Aniston and her Smartwater ads. Choosing water over sugary sodas is great, but many people think bottled water is healthier than good ol' water from the tap. And cleaner too. But research has found that is not true. In fact, bottled water could contain more impurities than tap water - that's not smart at all. Here are seven reasons to skip the bottled water and opt for tap.

Tap water is highly regulated. It is regularly checked for traces of E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria. The FDA doesn't hold the same rules for bottled water.
Tap water must be tested for coliform bacteria 100 or more times a month. Bottled water companies are only required to test once a week.

Learn five more reasons.

"Nightswimming," by REM, 4:18
"Rain," by Madonna, 5:24
"The Sea," Morcheeba, 5:48
"Water," by Lauryn Hill, 6:09
"River," by Joni Mitchell, 4:05
"Mary," by Sarah McLachlan, 3:55
"River of Freedom," by Deee-Lite, 4:06
"Beyond the Sea," Kevin Spacey, 3:32
"Red Rain," by Peter Gabriel, 5:38
"Walk to the Water," by U2, 4:47
"Two Sides of a River," by Dar Williams, 4:09
"Down to the River to Pray," by Alison Krauss, 2:56
"Islands in the Stream," By Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, 4:11
"I Think it's Going to Rain Today," by Norah Jones, 3:04
"Nothing but the Water," by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 2:44
"Rivers of Babylon," by The Melodians, 4:18
"Many Rivers to Cross," by Jimmy Cliff, 2:42

Total PLOW Time: 1:15:46