FitSugar

Healthy To-Do: Just Say No to TV

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

I will admit after a long day of working and mothering, sitting on the couch, remote in hand, always sounds like the perfect way to wind down and decompress. But I am here to say, don't give into the new opiate of the masses, turn off the boob tube and do something else - it could make you happy.

Watching TV is pleasurable, I am not arguing with that, but a newly released long-term study from the University of Maryland found that those who watch more TV are less happy. The 34-year-long study, involving over 45,000 participants, found that watching TV made viewers happy in the short term, but had no long-term benefits, leaving people a little dissatisfied with their choice to veg on the coach. Watching TV interferes with activities that might be less enjoyable in the moment, but provide long-term satisfaction. The study cited socializing, reading book, and sex as activities happy people did about 30 percent more than the unhappy TV watchers.

We all know that there are surprising health benefits associated with getting it on, but another activity that leaves folks feeling relaxed and pleased with themselves is exercise. Hey, I am FitSugar; so of course I am going to argue the benefits of choosing working out over TV.

So instead of watching an hour of television tonight, try just a 30 minutes. Then do so some yoga, call a friend, get it on with your partner, or read a book. It just might help you become the healthy, happy you.

Source

Turn Off Your TV Week - Starts Today!!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I find it an interesting coincidence that National Downshifting Week and National Turn Off Your Television Week overlap. Yep, Downshift week began on Saturday and "No TV" starts today. The idea is simple: take your TV, your DVD player, your video iPod, and your XBOX 360 - and turn them off, and keep them off until next Monday. Putting the idea into action though might be a bit more challenging - I read that 40% of Americans watch TV during dinner.

Now, I watch TV like everyone else, but this week I am turning off the tube and keeping it off. I want to see what else I can figure out to do with my time. Since TV is passive entertainment I am planning some more active activities (I like the way that sounds). Instead of watching Grey's Anatomy, my husband and I have a tennis date. Talk about active entertainment (neither of us play tennis much, so our games are more comedy than competition).

To learn more about Turn Off Your TV week, check out this fact sheet. Plus, since you are not watching TV you'll have more time to read.

If you are afraid of missing your favorite show, fear not!!! BuzzSugar is not participating and will have recaps of all of your favorite shows.

Link Time! Robert De Niro Ready to Tackle the Pigskin

BuzzSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:30:12 -0800

Robert De Niro to play famed Packers football coach Vince Lombardi - Collider
Lost's Michael Emerson reveals his, um, "situation" - TV Squad
The Tribeca Film Festival announces its feature lineup - Vulture
Put on your Poker Face: Lady Gaga is joining Rock Band - Spin
Looks like the Jersey Shore is moving their hot tub to South Beach - E! Online
5 shows Undercover Boss should infiltrate next season - TV.com
Evan Rachel Wood drops out of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark musical - Splash Page
Keri Russell is returning to TV, yay! Even better: she's playing Will Arnett's love interest - Ausiello Files
Two Wizard of Oz reboots? Ugh. - Cinematical
6 free apps you need before heading to SXSW - GeekSugar

Power Strip Concept Puts a Limit to Your Electricity Use

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:51 -0800

We've talked a lot about vampire power - gadgets and appliances that are turned "off" but suck down electricity just because they're plugged in - and there's one electrical outlet that helps combat wattage use while you're out for the day. But what if you have several gadgets you want to control? Here's an idea - make a power strip with timers in the sockets so you can keep track of how long you actually use an appliance, and save money at the same time. The Wind Up Socket does just that - lets you count down the minutes (like a kitchen egg timer) until your electrical socket switches off.

Hear more about the Wind Up Socket when you read more.

Let's say you need to charge up your phone overnight, but you know it only takes an hour of charge to get you through the day. Don't leave it plugged in and wasting juice - schedule your socket timer to shut off in an hour, and not only get a full charge, but save a whole lot of money over the course of the year for banishing power vampires. This would work great for computer chargers, TVs, and kitchen appliances that don't need to be left active after you've heated up your breakfast. Right now the Wind Up Socket is in the concept phase, but I would totally buy one if it was on the shelves today!

Kirstie Alley Lost 20 Pounds With Organic Elixir?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:30:38 -0800

Is it me or does it seem like Kirstie Alley's weight is always in the news? She's losing weight, then gaining it, and now she's lost some again. According to People magazine, Kirstie has dropped 20 pounds off her frame. She has narrowed down her issues and knows her "two biggest hurdles in weight loss and maintenance are cravings and too big of an appetite." To get back on the road to a healthy figure, she's developed a weight-loss program that specifically deals with those two issues. It's called Organic Liaison, and it's the first ever USDA-approved certified organic weight loss program. The plan is designed to be healthy, easy, convenient, tasty, affordable, and something you can stick with for the rest of your life.

I was excited to hear all this, until I found out that the "program" is really just a bunch of supplements. The Rescue Me elixir is a formula "packed with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, [which] helps to reduce cravings while giving you an energy boost." Kirstie basically says it works because it's organic, and when you drink it, you won't be hungry so you end up losing weight. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying it. I am not a fan of weight loss supplements, organic or not.

Apparently the program is working for Kirstie, and her progress will be chronicled on her new reality TV show, Kirstie Alley's Big Life, which debuts March 21. Tell me, do you think these weight loss products will get her healthy once and for all, or do you think it's just another turn on her roller coaster weight loss ride?

Wake Up and Work Out

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:21 -0800

When your alarm goes off in the morning, do you curse its very existence and hit the snooze button eight times before you actually pull yourself out of bed? If you're not a morning person, there's no way you could begin to understand how other people can wake up early and fit in an hour workout before getting ready and heading off to work. Yes, some people are just naturally perky in the morning and prefer sweating it out in the a.m., but then there's the rest of us who make a point to work out in the morning because it's the only time we can fit it in.

If you find that you're skipping out on exercise altogether because you're too busy, have meetings, have family obligations, or are just plain exhausted, then morning workouts might be just the thing you need. How can a non-morning person turn into a morning exerciser? Learn a handful of ways to become an early riser when you read more.

Get to bed early the night before. Even if you're one of those rare people who can survive on less than five hours of sleep that is not enough snooze time if expect to wake up and have energy for a morning workout. That means you can't go to bed at midnight and expect to rise and shine at 5 a.m. Get into the habit of going to bed early enough so you get at least eight hours of zzz's.
If you're not sleepy at night, try limiting your caffeine during the day, and be finished with your last caffeinated bev by 4 p.m. Warm baths, a cup of tea, and ditching the TV and computer use before bed can also encourage you to relax and fall asleep more easily.
Creatively motivate yourself. When you're cozy under your sheets telling yourself you feel great after you exercise will probably not help you jump out of bed. Get creative with your means of motivation. Make a new workout playlist, or get excited to wear your new sneaks. Conjure up the image of that cute guy you've seen at the gym lately. Get psyched about a tasty new breakfast idea. If you have something you're looking forward to once you wake up, you'll find it impossible not to get out of bed.
Make a date and set a time. You know you love Zumba and your gym only offers it at 6 a.m. Make an appointment with a trainer or plan to meet a fitness buddy at the park to go for a run. Scheduling morning workouts is a surefire way to get you there.
Reward your morning exercise efforts. Either give yourself a little treat after each morning workout or make a goal to exercise every day, Monday through Friday and on the last day, buy yourself a new fitness top, get a pedicure, or go to the movies with a friend. Rewards are huge motivators, and thinking about the pleasure that comes after your hard work may give you that emotional push out of bed.

Do you work out in the morning? Is it easy or hard for you?

Your Advice: How to Motivate to Exercise

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:30:17 -0800

If the chilly weather has put a damper on your get-up-and-go in the exercise department, don't worry. Your fellow FitSugar readers are here to offer some suggestions on how to motivate you to get back to moving.

Leilanic1 says, "I go home straight from work and change immediately and leave without even sitting down. I know that as soon as I sit or turn on the TV it's over. Same thing on the weekends, when I get up I get immediately into my workout clothes and leave as soon as I can. Plus I have met a lot of friends at the gym and knowing they will be there helps me to get there too. Don't want to let them down."
Spectra says, "I sleep in my sports bra and have my workout clothes ready in the bathroom. As soon as my alarm goes off, I go down to pee and my clothes are right there. I change into my clothes and I'm ready to go. Sometimes it's hard to drag myself out of bed, but when I remind myself of how awesome I'll feel when I'm done, it's a lot easier to get up and just do it."
"One of my friends recently revealed that she sleeps in her workout gear so she doesn't have any excuses not to exercise in the a.m." - judiesjuice
"I put workouts in my Google calendar and set alerts so a reminder pops up a few hours before when I'm still at work. That way I process what I have to do to get there and think about how great I will feel after a workout. It works like a charm!" - Angelica

For more great tips keep reading

TV Show Check-in: Cougar Town

BuzzSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:30:19 -0800

Even though I love talking exhaustively about Lost and The Vampire Diaries, there are plenty of other shows I watch but don't get to do a recap on. Since so many series premiered this year, I'll be checking in periodically to chat about what's going on with those that aren't in my usual roster. Today's show: Cougar Town.

First impression: Cougar Town is one of the few freshman shows that has really earned its place on my DVR, but it wasn't an easy road. Unlike other newbies like Glee and Modern Family, which charmed me from the start, I had misgivings about Cougar Town. Courteney Cox's Jules seemed a little too desperate, and I was sure the gag about her being a cougar would wear thin.
Why I'm still watching: I can happily report that all of those doubts have been replaced with sheer delight. Cougar Town has grown in its first season and become a very funny show that's less about an older woman dating younger men and more about the other personal relationships she's working on. Yes, we've gotten to see Jules experiment with dating plenty, but it's her believable rapport with neighbor Grayson that's made for the best romantic storyline. Also, the best lines often come from her ditzy BFF, Laurie (Busy Philipps) and son Travis (Dan Byrd). Somehow, the show has achieved a balance of lust, laughs, and love.

To see why you should be watching Cougar Town if you're not already, just read more.

Why you should watch: If you were turned off by the premise of Cougar Town but want to add a light comedy to your TV lineup, give the show another shot. And if you don't have to be afraid to get attached: it's already been picked up for a second season. Need more than just my word for it? Here's a recent clip.

Heidi Klum and Kim Kardashian Impress in Their Red Dresses

PopSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Heidi Klum and Kim Kardashian united in NYC last night to strut the runway at the annual Heart Truth Show. The charity presentation usually kicks off Fall Fashion Week, with last year's event bringing out the likes of Amanda Bynes and Hilary Duff. Kim spent last weekend supporting her boyfriend Reggie Bush during his Super Bowl, but it was his turn to do the cheering on yesterday as he watched her from the front row. Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel showed off her growing baby bump, while Heidi Klum brought two red dresses along after spending the afternoon launching her new maternity line and talking about how she got back in shape after pregnancy. Heidi's adding to her growing list of jobs with an upcoming cameo on Desperate Housewives, but her first TV baby, Project Runway, was back with a new episode last night - do you think the right designer was sent home?

To see more, including Kristin Chenoweth and Felicity Huffman, just read more.

View 40 Photos ›

Images include: Kim Kardashian, Felicity Huffman, Heidi Klum, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Kimora Lee, Kristin Chenoweth, Regina King, Jordin Sparks, Bethenny Frankel, William H Macy, Reggie Bush

Reader Tips: Inexpensive Ways to Unwind

SavvySugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:45:49 -0800

Keeping your head clear after a rough day at work isn't easy for anyone. It's crucial to let go of the workday blues when you leave the office by taking time for yourself, but the key is to not rely on retail therapy. There are plenty of ways to detach from the day's events, and none of these ideas involve retail therapy - no need to make things worse by spending money you may not have. I recently asked about your favorite inexpensive pleasures, and you shared great tips! Here are some of my favorites:

"I like to turn off the lights, lay down on my sofa and play a George Michael CD as loud as my neighbors will accept it. His voice just fills up the room and it's so soothing that it immediately relaxes me. I tried to do this every night and I realize that it helps me sleep a lot better than watching TV before bed." - Ale Neumann
"A good book, a blanket, and a cup of English tea with lots of milk." - Deidre
"Magazine reading at Barnes and Noble or painting my nails while watching Sex and the City re-runs!" - lana7128
"I would have to say my favorite inexpensive pleasure is getting books from the library and reading in bed." - RoaringSilence
"I'm the queen of inexpensive pleasures . . . I know how to have fun on the cheap! My favorite things are: enjoying a nice cup of fresh ground coffee while I read books that I get from the library, sitting around and painting my nails while I watch Oprah or Dr. Phil, and shopping at thrift stores/dollar stores to find cool bargains." - Spectra

Share your budget and career tips with SavvySugar readers. Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account and leave a comment here or post in one of our community groups!