FitSugar

Which Germy Situation Is More Disgusting?

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I'll admit that I'm a bit of a germaphobe. OK, I'm a huge germaphobe. That's because I know some people are not as hygienic as they should be. You may think certain germs are more disgusting than others though, so tell me . . .

When Traveling, Which is WORSE?

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Summer is coming up, I'm sure a lot of you have big trips planned. Vacations provide a much needed break from the trials and tribulations of daily life. Whether you are vacationing for relaxation or adventure, traveling does sometimes come with interesting side effects - both known and unexpected.

So I want to know...

Source

Sunburn or Jellyfish Sting: Which is Worse?

FitSugar — Sat, 26 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

For a lot of people, Memorial Day is all about heading to the beach for some relaxation in the sun. So I want to know...

Source and Source

Going to the Gyno - Which is Worse?

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

As women, we all have to go for our yearly visit to the gynecologist. It's no fun, but we know it's good for us. Somehow talking about how much it sucks makes me feel better, so I want to know, when you go for your annual gynecologist appointment...

Don't Blow Your Healthy Habits at the Movies This Weekend

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:53 -0800

It's a big movie weekend, for sure. With New Moon finally out, I've already committed myself to spend an afternoon at the theater - the only complication is that I'm not so fond of the movie-theater fare. It's an admittedly challenging place to stick to healthy food choices, since there usually aren't any to begin with. Just in case you don't believe me, recent research is revealing just how unhealthy movie popcorn can be - and it's probably a lot worse than you think.

An article from WebMd highlights the Center for Science in the Public Interest's findings on the state of popcorn, which claims movie theater popcorn is just about as bad for you as "a pound of baby back ribs and a scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream or maybe two Big Macs" - and that's before you even add the butter. For the study, researchers sent samples of popcorn and toppings from three different movie theater chains and compared their findings to the chains' own nutritional information. What they found is likely to make you rethink how you view your movie treat.

The study's results show that the calorie count of movie theater popcorn ranges from just about 400 to 1,200 calories, and contains an alarming serving of saturated fat that's equivalent to three days worth of your daily recommended portion, and anywhere from 200 (in the smallest 6-cup size serving) to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, the study revealed that both AMC and Regal theaters pop their popcorn in coconut oil, which has a saturated fat content of a whopping 90 percent. Cinemark theaters, which pops their popcorn in canola oil, earns the rep as the healthiest chain, with a significantly lower saturated fat content - ranging from 2 grams in the 420-calorie small size to 5 grams in the 910-calorie large popcorn bucket. But, keep in mind that popcorn is usually just a part of the order - add a soda or your choice of candy, and your order is easily nearing 1,700 calories.

To learn about healthier options at the movies read more.

To avoid a serious caloric overload on your movie outing, the solutions are simple. Opt to share a small, unbuttered popcorn, and request that it be popped without salt (according to the article, these chains will happily oblige), or knosh on something healthy before you head out. If you can, bring a small bag of almonds or a piece of fruit along. Be smart about your choices, and don't let one afternoon at the movies spoil your healthy habits. It's totally fine to indulge every now and then, but a 1,200-calorie serving of popcorn that packs more saturated fat than you need in three days is hardly a treat for your bod or health.

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

Biking: Bugs vs. Saddle Sore - Which Is Worse?

FitSugar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Have you been riding your bike a lot this summer? I have been inspired by the Tour de France, have you? There are some things about bike riding I do NOT enjoy. Aside from cars not sharing the road, what do you think is worse?

Source

Food Dye Brilliant Blue G Reduces Spinal Cord Injuries

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:15:52 -0700

It is not often you hear anyone singing the praises of a food additives, let alone food dye. Brilliant Blue G, the dye found in blue M&Ms and Gatorade, has a lot more going on than a super-awesome, old-school gangsta name: it might help to decrease the severity of spinal cord injuries.

When the spinal cord is injured, molecular changes occur at the injury site, making the initial injury considerably worse - the body sends healing cells to the site but they go overboard and attack healthy cells as well. When Brilliant Blue G was given intravenously to rats with spinal injuries, the blue dye inhibited the cellular attack that killed healthy cells. The rats were able to walk postinjury, although they retained a bit of a limp. The control group, which received no dye, never walked again. The one side effect is that the rats treated with blue dye turned blue for a while.

Administering Brilliant Blue G immediately after a spinal cord injury could have a dramatic impact on how accident victims are treated and recover. The group at University of Rochester that made this medical discovery are gearing up for clinical trials. The blue dye has already been approved for human consumption, since it's in Jell-O, candy, and drinks, so let's hope the research is funded quickly. It could transform lives.

Takahiro Takano, University of Rochester Medical Center

Walking Barefoot? Make Sure You've Had a Tetanus Shot

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:00:24 -0700

Nothing beats walking barefoot in the grass - it's the definition of Summer. Most of the time your feet make contact soft, warm, clean grass and soil, but not all the time. A cut or puncture from some sharp object can be extremely painful, but contracting Tetanus from your wound is much worse. Getting pricked by a rusty nail, as most people think, isn't the only way to get this infectious disease. It's happens when a wound becomes infected by bacterial spores that live in soil, dust, and animal waste. That means insect bites, splinters, scrapes, burns, and yes, stepping on a rusty nail are all ways you can get tetanus. The disease causes severe, uncontrollable muscle spasms. The jaw can become locked by muscle spasms, causing this disease to sometimes be called lockjaw. In severe cases, the muscles used to breathe can spasm, causing lack of oxygen to the brain, which can lead to death.

Tetanus is easily prevented though, by arming yourself with a tetanus shot. After you receive the initial series of shots when you're a kid, an adult should get a tetanus shot every 10 years. Are you protected? If you can't remember how many years it's been since you've had this shot, call your doctor.

How-To: Heal Cracked Heels

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Warm Summer weather inspires many of us to wear flip-flops and walk barefoot. When your feet are exposed to air, it can cause dry skin on your feet, which will create calluses. The pressure of pounding your feet on the ground when you run can then lead to heel fissures, or cracks in the skin. They most often occur on your heels, but you can get them anywhere you have extremely dry skin. If you continue to run, the fissures can split open further and become deeper. When that happens, the fissures can bleed and expose the underlying tissue to infection. Plus they're really painful, which makes running downright impossible.

Want to know how you can prevent fissures? Then read more.

Before you go to sleep, soak your feet in water or take a bath or shower. Then lather your feet up with intense moisturizing lotion, salve, or body butter, and wear socks over them.
Wear socks and shoes that cover your feet to help keep the skin moist. I know this can be a pain during the Summer, but it will really help heal your cracked heels.

Drink lots of water throughout your day to help moisturize your body from the inside out.

To get rid of dry skin on your heels, try using a pumice stone in the shower. It gently sloughs off dead skin cells, eventually revealing softer, smoother skin. If you already have small cracks, just be careful not to irritate those areas.
If you live in a dry area, try using a humidifier in your home to help keep moisture in the air.
I know it's tempting to continue running, but if you have a deep fissure, pounding your feet will only make it worse. Switch to walking until your cracked heel is under control.
If you already have a big crack, make an appointment with a podiatrist. They can help get rid of the hard, dry skin on your feet, so that your fissure can heal.

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