FitSugar

Yo-Yo Exercising Is a No, No

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:30:00 PST

We've all heard that yo-yo dieting is bad for your health, but did you know that yo-yo exercising could be just as bad?

A study from the Journal of Applied Physiology has found that periods of strenuous exercise followed by weeks of physical inactivity can lead to increased fat cell production. Since increased fat cell production - fat cell hyperplasia - can lead to weight gain and obesity, this is not something any of us want, nor is it healthy. This is why moderation and making a plan to fit exercise (and healthy eating) into your lifestyle is recommended rather than starting something drastic that you know you will not be able to follow for years to come.

Source

Fit Philosophy: Ginnifer Goodwin

Michele Foley — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:02:27 PDT

Happy birthday, Ginnifer Goodwin! The Once Upon a Time star turns 34 today, and to celebrate we're taking a look at how Ginnifer stays active and fit in her daily life.

Always on the go: Ginnifer often credits living in health-conscious LA for her active lifestyle. Whether she's going to Ballet Body or The Bar Method, her workouts gravitate toward leotards, the barre, and pliés. She also turns everyday excursions into an excuse to power walk, "I'll speed-walk a couple of miles, get a cup of coffee, speed-walk back. It’s so easy. Just break a sweat for 30 minutes and you’re fine."

It's a lifestyle not a diet: An outspoken fan of Weight Watchers, she credits the diet program for helping her maintain a healthy weight in realistic ways. She told People, "It takes time because you lose the weight slowly . . . You don't have to go through that horrible yo-yo cycle of binging." Even when counting points, Ginnifer can indulge in treats like her favorite dark chocolate or a pasta dinner. Ginnifer maintains a sense of balance when it comes to eating, so she never has to feel deprived.

Health is more than just weight loss: For Ginnifer, being healthy means being confident, feeling less stressed, and maintaining a well-rounded perspective in her life. She told Health, "Healthy is beautiful. Because what comes with health is a clear mind and a high spirit. When I’m not healthy, I can’t think straight, and I’m unhappy. I’ll realize that I’m an emotional mess, and it’s because I’m dehydrated. Or I’m cold and cranky, and it’s because I’m not exercising and my circulation is poor."

5 Ways to Kick the Yo-Yo Out of Your Diet Vocab

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:38:04 PDT

The constant cycling of gaining and losing weight is a heavy load on your mind, but it also has very real repercussions on your body's ability to metabolize what you eat. With a new season upon us, there's no better time to set some healthy intentions and get the yo-yo out of your diet - I'm exhausted just thinking about it! Here are five tips to take to heart if you're ready to stop the cycle.

Losing weight doesn't happen overnight. For those of us who have become accustomed to years of yo-yo dieting, it's time to change our perception of weight loss. Healthy weight loss does not happen overnight, or right before your best friend's wedding, or two weeks before you want to wear a killer party dress. While it's tempting to restrict heavily before a big event, just say no. The weight will come back on your bod and only get harder to take off with time. The slower you lose weight, the longer you will keep it off.
Time to retrain that brain. Food can become quite a security blanket. Instead of finding stimulation or solace by chowing down, it's time to start thinking differently. Take this tip from food journalist and professor Michael Pollan: "If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you're probably not hungry." When you go to grab a big bag of chips or check out what fun things are happening in the fridge, honestly ask yourself: "Am I hungry? Or am I just bored?" The more self-awareness you gain, and the less likely you are to mindlessly eat, the more stability you'll bring to your diet.

Keep reading for three more ways to stop the yo-yo diet cycle.

Nutrition Myths That Can Cause Weight Gain

Shape — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:04:23 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Myth: Going Vegan Will Make You Lose Weight
"While various research shows that vegetarians and vegans, on average, consume fewer calories and less fat than omnivores (a 2009 Oxford study found that vegetarians weigh 3 to 20 percent less than their meat-eating counterparts, and a National Cancer Institute study found that subjects who consumed four ounces or more of red meat weekly were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause than those who ate less), these numbers may be misleading," says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a certified nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition for You.

Going vegan solely for weight loss can backfire, big time. If you aren’t vigilant with a vegan diet, it’s easy to lack in vital nutrients, vitamins, and proteins, which give you energy and help keep your metabolism stoked. Many first-time vegans may also find themselves reaching for more processed foods like vegan cookies, chips, or even ‘ice cream’ more often with such a restricted diet, and many end up packing on the pounds instead.

If you do decide to adopt a vegan diet, be sure to keep the ‘treats’ to a minimum and plan balanced meals (we love ‘Domestic Vegan’ Diva Jessica Olson’s tips for "going veg"). "Aim to get about 10 to 20 percent of your calories from protein (or about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight), replacing animal protein with healthy plant proteins, like those found in beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products," Batayneh says. "And, whether you are vegan or not, eating more green, leafy vegetables is great for your health and your waistline."

See which other diet habits may also being causing weight gain after the break!

The Secrets to Christie Brinkley's Beautiful Skin

Allure — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:05:33 PDT

We're happy to present this story from Allure!

Christie Brinkley obviously has some killer genes, but she's also relied on dermatologist Patricia Wexler for the past 16 years to keep her skin looking gorgeous. Well, it's paying off: Brinkley is currently starring in the Broadway musical Chicago as 25-year-old murderess Roxie Hart - a character 32 years Brinkley's junior (yes, the supermodel is actually 57!). Wexler shares some of the ways Brinkley keeps her skin in great shape when you keep reading.

Focusing Solely on Weight Loss Leads to Weight Gain, Study Says

Leta Shy — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:40:34 PST

If you are like many, you may have resolved to lose weight this year and have changed your lifestyle in order to meet your goals. But focusing only on that magic number on the scale can actually lead to weight gain, not weight loss, according to a new study.

The study's authors researched over 200 other studies and found that the emphasis on losing weight in lieu of other healthy goals had a detrimental effect on dieters; they ended up depressed, guilty, and dissatisfied with their bodies, which led to weight gain.

The authors also debate on whether fat is as harmful as many claim, saying that their findings do not support commonly accepted ideas about losing weight, including that it will prolong your life, that obesity is an economic burden, and that weight loss is the only way that obese people can improve their health.

Keep reading for tips on balancing weight loss goals with healthy habits.

Yo-Yo Dieting Makes Keeping Weight Off Harder

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:30:21 PDT

You eat a balanced diet and exercise, and you lose weight. But once you reach your goal, you exchange trips to the gym for pork lo mein on the couch, and end up gaining all the weight back (and then some). You're not alone. In fact studies show that two-thirds of dieters regain more weight within four or five years than they initially lost. Even celebs aren't immune to the grasps of yo-yo-dieting. Kirstie Alley, Oprah Winfrey, and Janet Jackson have all struggled with keeping the numbers on the scale from going up.

Constant yo-yo dieting makes it harder to keep the weight off because when your body mass decreases by 10 percent or more, it ends up slowing down your metabolism by 11 to 15 percent. Going on and off diets also changes other aspects of your physiology, such as increasing the hunger hormone ghrelin, and decreasing the hormone leptin, which makes you feel satisfied and full. Doctors believe strict diets which are low in calories are the worst. Your body may see restricting your calorie intake as a threat to its survival, and that's why it holds on to the extra pounds on your tush.

I'm sorry to say, but I have more bad news so keep reading

Break the Cycle of Yo-Yo Dieting With These Tips

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:30:32 PDT

Celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Kirstie Alley are no strangers to yo-yo dieting. For whatever reason, once people reach their weight loss goals, it can be hard to maintain it. Here are some tips to prevent the numbers on the scale from rollercoasting.

Lose weight the right way. Run far away from fad diets that offer quick weight loss, and instead embrace the slower yet more effective way of losing weight - healthy eating and regular exercise. You'll lose about a pound or two a week, but losing weight at this rate means it's more likely to stay off.
Maintain your healthy eating habits even after you reach your goal. Losing weight is all about eating a balanced and nourishing diet. So once you see the number you want on the scale, you can't just abandon your healthy ways and go back to chowing down bags of Doritos on the couch. You must change your mindset and take on this healthy way of eating forever. Don't think of it as a diet, but as a way of life.

For the other helpful tips,

Get a handle on emotional eating. For many people, overeating tends to be connected to how they feel, so depression or anxiety can cause a person to turn toward food to make them feel better. If this sounds familiar, know your triggers and learn to deal with them in nonfood ways such as with exercise, talking to someone, or writing in a journal.
Don't slack on exercise. Burning calories by sweating it out was probably a key factor in helping you drop pounds and inches. Once you finally feel good about wearing a bikini, don't make the mistake of abandoning your gym membership. You may not have to work out as hard, but you still need regular workouts to strengthen your muscles and maintain your new slimmer figure.
Make sure your weight loss goal is realistic. If you're 5-foot-6, and you aim to be a slender 120 pounds, you might be able to diet and exercise like crazy to reach that goal, but there's no way you can keep up with that lifestyle. Decide on a reasonable weight goal, and it'll be easier to maintain it.
Don't avoid the foods you crave. If your mom's homemade mac 'n' cheese is calling your name every time you go home for a visit, indulge in your craving without going overboard. If you abstain completely, you'll end up wanting it so bad, you'll gorge and end up gaining weight. Make moderation your motto.
Don't forget snack time. Eating smaller meals throughout your day as opposed to three large meals can help keep hunger at bay. People who don't snack between meals end up starving by the time noon or 6 p.m. rolls around, which translates to overeating. Eating well-balanced snacks throughout the day also keeps your blood sugar levels steady, which in turn helps you avoid cravings for sweets.
If the cycle continues, talk to your doctor. You may have an underlying physical problem such as an underactive thyroid or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that is causing you to gain weight. If that's the case, your doctor can help get the condition under control so you can get your weight under control as well.

Chelsea Handler Shows Off Bikini Bod in Shape

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:00:22 PDT

Funny lady Chelsea Handler may love her cocktails, but that hasn't stopped her from looking positively smashing on the April cover of Shape. The comedian, 35, is candid about her long road to a fit lifestyle ("I was born with a French fry in my mouth"), but says today she is healthier than ever. After years of yo-yo dieting and jumping from workout to workout, Chelsea shares that she's finally found a fitness regimen that she can stick to. Here are the interview highlights:

On how she ate growing up: "My parents were not the healthiest eaters. My mom was a great cook, but her idea of a light after-school snack was mac and cheese and brownies. So of course I was like, 'Why am I 15 and struggling with my weight?' It took me a long time to deprogram myself after I moved to L.A."
On her favorite food splurge: "There's a diner in New Jersey that makes steak fries with melted mozzarella that you dip in gravy. Every time I eat there, I'm like, 'Can I move in here, please?' Seriously, why would I ever leave?"

To see what Chelsea has to say about exercise and drinking,

On trying different exercise regimens: "I've tried them all, but I'd usually end up quitting because I'd get bored. Or, as with yoga, after months of doing it, I'd still have belly flab. And doing cardio at the gym can be so annoying! I hate it when there are 50 treadmills and I’m the only one there, but then someone just hops on the machine right next to me! Hello!"
On finding the right exercise: "It's [Pilates] been the most gentle on my body," says Chelsea. "I'm longer and leaner and much more graceful. I can honestly say it's changed my body - and my life."
On her love of liquor: "I told my nutritionist, 'I'm not going to quit drinking. I love to hang out with my girlfriends and have cocktails and dinner; it's how I relax,'" she says. "He explained that calorie-wise, vodka isn't so bad, as long as you drink it with soda. Knowing I could have a drink made it easier to stick to the program."

The Transformation of Kelly Osbourne

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:22:15 PST

I have to admit that I've never been a fan of Kelly Osbourne, but after reading her interview in the latest issue of Us Weekly, I'm a convert. The singer talks in detail about the hard work she went through to transform herself from a size 14 to a size two. I love that Kelly did it in a totally manageable and healthy way, and has such a kick-ass attitude about everything she's been through. Focusing on a healthy diet and exercise plan, the 5-foot-2 star lost an amazing 42 pounds. Most importantly, she has let go of the shame she's carried for years because of her weight. Check out the highlights below.

How Dancing With the Stars changed her life. "He [DWTS partner Louis van Amstel] made me work out, practice six times a day and get fit. I fought him the whole time, but at the end of the show I realized he was right. It worked."
On working out. "After DWTS ended I followed the Bar Method and now I do that three times a week at least. Not every day. I don't have that kind of dedication. Working out sucks. You sweat and you stick, but then you're done - and then you see that just taking an hour three times a week can change you so much. It becomes addictive."

To find out what Kelly's eating and how her self-esteem has changed,

On eating well. "You don't have to count calories. Just make sure what you're eating is good food. You can eat as much good food as you want if you're careful. I try to have no carbohydrates unless they're natural, such as apples. No bread, no pasta and real sugar . . . what that does to you is incredible. I lost five pounds in one week just by eliminating starchy carbs and soda."
Why dieting doesn't work. "If you want to lose weight for good, you need to make a commitment to a life change. You have to say, 'I'm just not going to eat that anymore. I'm going to change my bad habits.' Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life yo-yoing and you'll be miserable. By no means is it easy. Getting in shape is one of the hardest things I've ever done."
On loving who she sees today. "When I look in the mirror now, it's really different. For the first time, I look at myself and I'm really proud to not hate every single thing that I see. What has made this process so healthy and interesting to me is that it's been a whole transformation. It's like this feeling disappeared that I had carried around with me for so long."

To hear more about Kelly's amazing transformation, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, which hits newsstands today.