FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Zinc and Echinacea vs. the Common Cold

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Nobody wants to get stuck with a cold, so when you hear that you can take something simple and inexpensive to prevent a week's worth of misery, why not jump at it? Echinacea and zinc are much buzzed-about when it comes to preventing or shortening the duration of colds, but do they really work?

When it comes to zinc, hundreds of studies have been conducted, including one in 2000, which found that taking zinc lozenges during a cold produced "modest" benefits. A more recent study published by Stanford Medical School analyzed data from 14 previous studies and reported that the effectiveness of using zinc to treat a cold "has yet to be established." Hmm.

Well, what about echinacea? To find out

It Pays to Know How to Blow Your Nose

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Having a cold can really put a damper on your daily life. One of the major symptoms of having a cold is a runny and/or stuffy nose, and believe it or not there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with all that leaky congestion. First off, you don't want to sniffle it back into your head, so you are going to need to blow your nose frequently.

According to Web MD, you don't want to blow your nose too hard because this can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose is similar to how most people put their pants on in the morning, one side at a time. Let me be explicit here: Press a finger over one nostril, and then gently blow to clear the other side. Reverse this action as needed. Also, you should wash your hands after blowing your nose to help prevent spreading germs.

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The Cold, Hard Facts of the Common Cold

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

It is the time of sniffles! Cold and flu season is upon us. By some accounts as early as August, and others think there really is no such thing since we can catch a virus anytime of the year. Thought it would be good to review some of the cold, hard facts of the common cold.

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Cold vs. Hot: Which is worse for you?

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Some people can't stand being COLD. They can bundle up with all the down coats and fleece hats in the world, and they'll never feel warm enough. They'd rather be hot because they could always cool off with an icy beverage or take a dip in the ocean. On the other hand, some people can't stand being HOT. Heat and humidity makes them feel sticky, tired, and cranky. They'd rather feel cold because they could always put on extra layers to warm up (but when you're HOT, there's only so many clothes you can shed before it becomes illegal).So I want to know...Source

Cold vs. Hot: Which is worse for you?

Being Cold

Being Hot

Get Physical: Winter Camping

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:17:03 -0800

If you love the outdoors and have someone who loves it equally as much, why not plan an overnight excursion? I know it's February, and it's cold out, but winter camping is a huge sport. What's so great about it? No bugs!

If you plan ahead and pack the right gear, you'll beat the cold and have a ton of fun. Here's what you'll need:

Waterproof Tent and a tarp to lay underneath it
Warm mummy style sleeping bags for each of you, preferably made of down like this one from The North Face
Always use a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag so you're not resting on the cold earth
Warm clothing - pack wool base layers to help keep you warm, extra pairs of wool socks, a warm hat and mittens, a waterproof coat and pants, and waterproof boots.
Enough water for the both of you. Keep your water bottles from freezing by placing them in a wool sock or insulated bottle cover.

Want to see what else you need? Then

Wool Socks - These are Darn Tough

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Merino wool really is the way to go when it comes to active wear, and socks are no exception. I just found this sock company named Darn Tough. They're a small company - they make all of their socks in their mill in Northfield, VT.

Their socks are made with a combination of warm and breathable merino wool, and soft and strong Coolmax fibers. They insulate to keep you warm, and the wool is great at wicking moisture away from your foot when you sweat.

Plus, they're on-mountain socks to cover your entire calf and shin, keeping them warm and cushioned from the pressure of your ski boots.

These socks, although made from wool, aren't the slightest bit itchy. They also make shorter socks for running and hiking.

I'm a huge fan of Darn Tough (as are a ton of other people) mostly because they make one awesome, comfy and durable sock, but also because I like to support smaller companies. Find a pair nearest you and I'm sure you'll agree.

Why Do My Teeth Chatter?

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:00:00 -0800

Whenever I go skiing and I'm riding up the chairlift, it gets really cold with the wind blowing, and my teeth always chatter and my body quivers. And it's totally out of my control. What's up with that?

The brain - the hypothalamus, to be specific - monitors your temperature. Get too cold and the hypothalamus sends nerve impulses to the skin and you get goose bumps, which do very little to make us warmer. When furry critters get goosebumps, the hairs lift up and trap air next to their skin, which acts like a blanket to keep them warm.

We're hardly furry enough to use air as a blanket, so our bodies came up with a different strategy to regulate our body temperature. When you get cold, your muscles get a signal to start contracting - that's the shivering and teeth chattering. The by-product of the muscle contractions is heat.

So the next time you start shivering and chattering, you can thank your body for doing its job to keep you warm.

Stay Warm at the Office

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:00:00 -0800

If you work in front of a computer all day, sitting at your desk can be bad for your circulation. This makes for cold feet and hands, especially in the winter.

Being cold is more than uncomfortable - it's bad for your immune system. It has to work extra hard, trying to warm you up, when it should be focusing all its energy on fighting germs that may come its way. Being cold might actually give you one.

Well, you can keep your tootsies warm with wool socks and warm shoes, but what about your hands? You can't exactly work with down mittens.
Check this out - A heated mousepad - kind of funny looking, but totally gets the job done. It's basically a fish-shaped sleeping bag - just slide your hand and mouse inside and your hand will stay toasty warm.

Too weird for you? How about these $22 USB Gloves. They're heated and have open fingers so you can type.

Want to a look a little more professional? You can also get a heated computer mouse for $22.

Fit's Tips: Stay warm - stay healthy.

Anti-Viral Tissues: Are They Worth It?

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:50:00 -0800

So what's the deal with anti-viral tissues? They seem like a great idea - anything that kills those cold and flu-causing viruses has to be worth it, right?

The good thing: Kleenex anti-viral tissues, with the little blue dots, kill the viruses that cause most colds and the flu. Within 15 minutes, the tissues kill 99% of them.

The not so good thing: The tissue is made of 3 layers, which tend to come apart easily. The middle layer in the tissue contains citric acid, which can burn a sensitive nose.

These tissues are only meant for catching coughs or sneezes, or to wipe your nose - they don't work as a surface cleaner.

These tissues do not prevent colds or the flu. They are meant to kill off viruses that are in the tissue before they can spread.

They don't cost much more than regular tissues, and may provide a little comfort for people who are freaked out about germs. So overall, it's a pretty good idea. I want to know what you think - would you buy them?

Warmers Are NOT Wimpy

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:13:35 -0800

Being cold is not cool. Don't let Winter keep you from enjoying the great outdoors.

Even if you layer up with lots of warm clothes, when you're outside in the cold for an extended period of time, the blood starts moving inward to protect your core and all of its vital organs - this can leave your hands and feet quite cold.

Pack some hand, toe, and foot warmers if you know you'll be out for a while. This portable heat is activated by air exposure - once you open the package, they'll stay warm for 5-7 hours.

They are a must for skiers, snowboarders, winter hikers, or anyone who enjoys outdoor winter activities.

Fit's Tip: They're not just for cold fingers and tootsies - they're great to use if you have stomach cramps, a sore neck or back, or chronic pain - the heat helps to relax and loosen tissues, and stimulates blood flow to the area.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:27:56 -0800

We all know that you can't "catch a cold from being cold," but feeling cold will affect your immune system, making it less able to protect itself from germs.

So whenever you're going to be in cold weather - make sure you're dressed right with long underwear, a warm coat, a hat, and mittens.

Check out these down mittens from Sierra Designs. They come in 6 different colors, and are filled with toasty warm insulating down. And for $25, they'll keep your fingers warm whether you're out snowshoeing or running to get the mail.

If you love those, you'll love these down slippers. Great for keeping your tootsies warm when hanging out at home.

Asthma and Winter Don't Mix

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:30:00 -0800

There's nothing fun about having asthma. Your chest gets tight, you can't catch a good breath, you have coughing attacks and you have to pump yourself silly with steroid inhalers and pills just so you can breathe.

But if you have asthma that's triggered by allergies, you may find that getting your heart rate up helps - all that huffing and puffing gets the mucus out of your lungs. Going for a run or bike ride outside does wonders because you're breathing in all that fresh air.

But now that it's winter, inhaling that freezing cold air is sure to throw you into an attack.

You may need to change up your routine and join a gym. Use the treadmill, elliptical or other cardio machines. Or check out a spinning class.

If the stagnant air at the stinky gym doesn't work for you, winter's a great opportunity to try hot yoga. The deep breathing and stretching will do wonders for your lungs. Plus you'll get to stretch out all those tight muscles you built up.

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