FitSugar

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?

Kristen Wants to Quit Smoking, Do It Too!

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:30:06 -0800

Kristen Stewart made the first step in kicking her cigarette habit - admitting to Entertainment Weekly that she's ready to give it up, saying, "I'm going to stop smoking. I'm not such a good smoker, anyway. It's not in my bones. I'm gonna drop it." More power to the gorgeous Twilight star, and here's hoping she sticks with it. Now, if you're out to ditch your own smoking habit, read on to kick-start your plan to quit.

Get Support - If you're ready to quit, whether or not you have friends that are smokers, make your decision known. Spreading the word that you're quitting will let your friends and family know that you'll need support. If you're having a tough day, reach out to friends. Instead of caving for a cigarette break, invite a friend for a long walk, a movie, or a workout class. Having the support of your loved ones who back your decision to quit will help give you a united front against your bad habit.

Don't Underestimate the Power of the Patch (or Gum) - Forms of nicotine replacement therapy have been shown to double your chances of quitting smoking, and can help you fight the urge to light up when you're facing nicotine withdrawal, reducing your feelings of depression and restlessness.

For more ways to help you quit, read more.

Find Another Way to Relieve Stress - Since smoking can often be a way to unwind, you'll have to find a healthier outlet to relieve stress. Combat stress with an alternative that's good for the body like a yoga class, soothing massage, or aromatherapy. Natural herbal supplements like lavender, valerian, and passionflower can aid with feelings of anxiousness and help ease tension. Short bouts of exercise can help relieve cravings, too.

Don't Drink - Alcohol and smoking are social activities that seem to go hand in hand. Plus, since alcohol naturally lowers our inhibitions, it can be harder to resist the temptation of a smoke when you're out drinking. So, when you're trying to quit, it's probably best to avoid the bar scene altogether.

Get Your Fill of Fruits and Veggies - Since many smokers fear gaining weight when they quit, many choose to diet while they're trying to give it up. But it's not a great idea to limit your food intake or choices, which can leave you feeling even more irritable while you're working to quit. Instead, think of quitting in a healthier way - focus on how eliminating the toxins from cigarettes will help to purify your body, and choose healthy fruits and veggies to fill you up. You might even try juicing your servings of fruit and vegetables. The nutrient-rich juice can help to curb cravings and can even help flush toxins from the body.

When Pregnancy Doesn't Stop the Vices

babysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:38:52 -0700

Someone might wanna tell Mrs. McSteamy that cream puffs are a much better (and dare I say tastier) alternative to smoke rings when it comes to breeding new life. Rebecca Gayheart's handsome hubby may play a doctor on television, but apparently any advice from her own doctor regarding the hazards of smoking while pregnant may have gone by the wayside. While it was acceptable in the past, we now know all the harm that can come with nicotine presence in the womb. In hopes of providing their child the best start in life, many expectant ladies take the nine months to rid themselves of the habit while others just keep on keepin' on like nothing has changed.

Did you give up your vices when you were expecting? Tell us more about it in the Pregnancy Posse in our LilSugar Community!

View 5 Photos ›

New Law Bans Flavored Cigarettes

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:35 -0700

The FDA sees flavored cigarettes as a gateway drug, encouraging children and young adults to become regular smokers. So a new federal law enacted this Summer, which bans the production, distribution, or sale of flavored cigarettes goes into effect today. This includes clove and candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes - anything but minty-fresh menthol. Tobacco companies enhance cigarettes with sweet flavors such as vanilla, berries, or chocolate to make them taste sweeter and more appealing to teens, which results in getting them hooked young.

This new law is an amendment to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The FDA is hoping they can target flavored cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff as well.

Tobacco use causes 438,000 deaths a year, and studies show that smokers live an average of 14 years less than nonsmokers. About 90 percent of adult smokers started in their teens, so hopefully banning kid-friendly cigarettes will discourage the habit and prevent the deadly side effects.

Guess Who?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:23:29 -0700

Can you guess who's burning calories and burning a cigarette?

Say What? Hypnotherapist: Quitting Smoking Like Breaking Up

TresSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Look, we had some great times together and a lot of fun, but now I feel we are moving in different directions and I need to end this relationship.

- Natasha Bishop to her cigarette habit of 10 years. She took the advice of a hypnotherapist who says that one way to quit smoking is to have a breakup conversation with your cigarettes. "Until you actually have that conversation," she says, "there's always that little part of you that thinks, maybe we'll get back together. Let's face it. Getting back together with an ex is like throwing milk in the garbage and three days later thinking . . . maybe it'll be better this time around." Have you ever had to quit smoking? Would you consider alternative therapies if cold turkey, the patch, or nicotine gum didn't work?

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Taste

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:30:14 -0700

If you're looking for motivation to quit smoking, I have another reason to tack onto your list: taste. A recent study performed in Greece found that smoking literally dulls the taste buds. In the small study, the smokers had flatter tastes buds compared with their nonsmoking counterparts. The shape of the buds may affect the sense of taste for Pavlidis Pavlos, the leading researcher in the study, remarked that,

"Statistically important differences between the taste thresholds of smokers and nonsmokers were detected. Smoking is an important factor which can lead to decreased taste sensitivity."

Food is fuel, but we all eat for taste as well and when you are missing out on flavor you might also be tempted to eat more to reach a satiation point. Need some more reasons to kick the habit? Check out all these reasons to quit smoking.

Calling All Neurotics! Another Thing to Worry About

TresSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

As a self-described neurotic, news that my neurosis may lead me to an early grave did not surprise me in the least. Unlike many neurotics who may read this story, however, I will not be adding "fear of premature death" to my list of things I like to worry about. There are too many things there as it is!

So who, exactly, is neurotic? Anyone who is constantly worried, anxious, or prone to depression, according to these researchers. (According to Freud? Neurotics are the normal people, if by "normal" you mean average!) But it’s not anxiety or depression that will necessarily do them in - it’s that they tend to drink and smoke more than “normal” folks do - with smoking being the worst thing they can do to themselves. (25 to 40 percent of the link between being neurotic and an early death was related to smoking - not drinking.)

Participants were asked questions like "Do you usually worry a long time after a distressing incident?” and "Are you sometimes sad without any particular reason?" to determine how neurotic they were.

Neurosis, I think, gives people an interesting edge, so as long as they cut down on the boozing and the cigarettes - worry away! I'm kidding. Kind of.

Source

Want to Quit Smoking?

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Quitting smoking is just about the best thing you can do for your health. Countless studies have shown smoking can lead to serious health problems, not only for the smoker, but also for non-smokers breathing secondhand smoke. It's never too late to quit, and if you want to call yourself a non-smoker like some of these celebs, here are some tips to help make it happen.

Think of a powerful and specific reason you want to quit. Something that's as important as wanting to avoid having your family visit you in the hospital because you have lung cancer will be strong enough to outweigh your craving to light up.
Don't try quitting cold turkey. Stats show that 95 percent of people who quit without therapy or medication end up going back to their old ways. So ween yourself off of nicotine slowly. Use nicotine gum or patches to minimize the overwhelming symptoms of withdrawal that include depression, restlessness, and anger.
Get rid of the evidence. Once you decide to quit, get rid of your secret cigarette stash, lighters, and ashtrays. Wash all your clothes, curtains, blankets, and anything else that smells like smoke. Use air fresheners in your home or car, because the slightest smell may make you relapse.

To see the other tips, read more.

Avoid triggers that make you want to light up. Drinking, hanging out with fellow smokers, and stress are common triggers that boost your urge to smoke. So know what sets you off and avoid it at all costs.
Have a support group to lean on. If your family, friends, and co-workers know you're trying to quit, they can encourage you to stick with it. Joining a support group with other people trying to quit can also up your chances for success.
Fill up on fruits, veggies, and lowfat dairy products. A Duke University study shows these foods make cigarettes taste terrible.
Exercise. Working out can curb nicotine cravings, so keep up with a regular exercise routine. It'll also help prevent weight gain while trying to quit.
Don't give up. It's common for a person to quit smoking several times before they quit for good. So keep trying until you can call yourself a non-smoker.

Smoker or Nonsmoker: Celebrity Edition

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Smoking cigarettes not only leads to asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and other health issues, it also stains your teeth, causes wrinkles, and gives you bad breath. Can you tell I am not a fan of the habit? It is a stereotype that actors smoke, but some have wised up and quit. Take this quiz and see if you know who still smokes and who has given it up.

Question 1 of 8

Matt Damon