That's Fit

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Think a calorie is a calorie? Think again -- as Calorie Lab points out, not all calories are created equal, and knowing the difference can make a big impact on the scale.

Over at Health.com, they're counting down the best fitness buys of 2009.

How cute -- Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal have matching his-n-hers fitness gear. You know what they say -- a couple that exercises together ... erm ... stays together ... ?

Over at Shape Magazine, a few of country's hottest stars are talking fitness -- in their bikinis.

Aren't girlfriends the best? CNN thinks so -- according to a recent report, women really benefit from their friendships with other women. But I know when I get together with my female friends, it usually involves margaritas and way too much food -- not a great idea when trying to get ready for a few beach sessions this summer. But there's no way I'm bailing on girls night -- the solution is to just make it healthier.

Some suggestions?

• Trade margaritas for white wine and top it with soda water to make it a spritzer (Added bonus: The hangover may be slightly less severe).
• Swap chick flicks for a dancing -- you'll burn more calories and have more fun.
• Spend time at the spa and not at long, lazy, fat-laden lunches. It will cost the same, and manicures have zero calories!
• Suggest something healthy, like a group yoga session or a long, chatty walk before you hit the town.
• Have them over to your place, and go all out on healthy snacks, like big fruit and veggie platters. Struggling for a fun drink to serve? Sangria is relatively low in calories and is sure to be a hit.

Got any suggestions of your own?

Hate the gym? A lot of you might answer with a resounding yes! And if so, I'm going to say something that might shock you: Quit your gym. Seriously -- joining a gym is expensive, and there's no point in paying all that money if you never go. It's as simple as that. Yes, getting and staying fit is important, but paying monthly dues doesn't mean you're committed to fitness. And believe it or not, there are other ways to get in shape.

Glamour recently listed the 10 things you need to ask a gym before you join -- but you also need to ask yourself a few things, like:

• What will you do there? It's not enough to show up -- find out if there are drop-in classes or facilities, like a pool, that will interest you.
• Are you ready to make the commitment to yourself? Most of us sign up and promptly start making excuses for why we can't go. Don't be that person -- decide if you're invested in this or not.
• Are you willing to make the time? We're all busy people. Figure out if you can squeeze regular workouts into your schedule. If not, then you're just not committed enough.
• Do you like it there? If you feel a sense of dread when you walk through the doors, it might not be the place for you. Visit other gyms and fitness facilities -- you might feel differently about them.
• Do you need it? If all you want to do is run on the treadmill, you might be better off investing in one for your basement. Or, if all you want to do is the group yoga classes, you might feel more comfortable in a yoga-only studio.

So, how do you feel about your gym?

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

You know those annoyingly-slim celebrities who insist they never work out or watch what they eat? Michelle Pfeiffer ain't one of them -- the 50-year-old stunner refreshingly admits that she really works at it.

How many calories does pushing a shopping cart around burn? Self magazine tells all.

Few of us love our fitness facilities, but does your gym actually suck? Lemondrop hits home with some gym truths.

Hey, don't fret if you can't lose the baby weight in 10 days flat like Jessica Alba did -- apparently, hanging on to extra pounds for a year is best for your baby.

How do Julianne Hough, Martina McBride and LeAnn Rimes get fit? Shape magazine is sharing some of the secrets of these country stars.

Who says technology is bad for your waistline? Health.com is dishing about some great iPhone apps that will help you make healthy choices.

If you're heading for a workout, a sports or energy drink seems like the obvious option for quenching your thirst. But guess what? Most so-called energy drinks are made from little more than sugar and caffeine mixed with water, and most are considered to be bad for you. There are loads of better -- and cheaper -- ways to get hydrated before you hit the gym. Such as:

• Tea. Yerba Mate tea contains caffeine and other natural stimulants, and green tea is full of healthy antioxidants.
• Chilled tea. Don't fancy a hot drink? Try mixing your favorite fruit juice with some chilled, unsweetened green tea.
• Chocolate milk. In recent studies, chocolate milk was determined better for athletes' performance than sports drinks.
• Plain old water. There's nothing like the original -- it's really all you need prior to a workout.

What do you drink before you exercise?

The world went a bit crazy when the Atkin's diet was introduced a few years back, but as people realized that there's just no way a diet that allows you to eat as much butter, bacon and steak as you want could be good for you, the search for an alternative was on. Enter the Eco-Atkins Diet, a low-carb vegetarian way of eating that has been proven to be both effective and healthy for weight loss while reducing your cholesterol at the same time.

Going vegetarian without carbs? Getting lots of protein without meat? That sounds like crazy talk to most of us, but in reality, there are plenty of delicious ways to get your nutrients without resorting to meat or simple carbs.

Like what? Here are some quick Eco-Atkin's-friendly snack ideas:

• A handful of nuts, like almonds or walnuts. Be careful though -- nuts are high in fat, so don't overdo it.
• Celery and peanut butter -- seriously, seriously delicious.
• Plain yogurt with some fresh fruit -- or soy yogurt if you're vegan. Between you and me, I usually add a touch of honey.
• Hummus and fresh veggies give you lots of fiber and nutrients all in one go.
• An apple with a bit of cinnamon sprinkled on top will hit the spot, or with some low-fat cheese if you're OK with dairy.

Need more inspiration? Click here for some great resources.

Scientists recently made a discovery they think could put an end to obesity: A substance containing olive oil that can help keep you full for 12 hours. Sure, it's not available yet, but this isn't exactly rocket science -- you can find foods that have a similar effect on your hunger pangs at the local grocery store. The key is choosing foods that will fill you up. Here are some items to try:

• Fiber is filling because it takes longer to digest. Go for things like whole grains and legumes to get your fiber fill.
• Protein is the best fill-you-up food there is -- just make sure it's of the lean variety. Think low-fat cheese, lean poultry or fish.
• Wet foods are more filling than dry ones simply because they trick the brain into thinking they have more calories. Choose oatmeal over a cereal bar, and start with vegetable soup over a bread basket.
• Fill up on foods that have a low energy density, like fruits and veggies. Think about it this way: For the same amount of calories, you could have one slice of pizza or five oranges. Which one is going to leave you full?
• Water. OK, water is not going to keep you satisfied for hours, but it can quiet minor hunger pangs if you drink enough of it. Trust me -- if you get yourself hydrated, you'll notice you're eating less.

As for foods that won't fill you up? Whether real or fake, sweet things top the list -- even diet soda can leave you feeling hungry.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Ever wondered why people choose to run marathons? Yeah, me too -- but apparently, you can get addicted to running -- it's definitely a healthier habit than your Cheetos addiction.

In order to get in shape for his new tour, Michael Jackson has enlisted the help of Lou Ferrigno -- AKA The Incredible Hulk -- to get him into shape. But Jackson has outlawed using weights because he doesn't want to get 'too bulky.'

Awesome idea or awful one? FOX has decided to make a plus-sized version of "The Bachelor" called "More To Love." Your thoughts?

They're not just for kids -- apparently, using the noodles and kickboards in the pool can give you a wicked workout.

Are those 100-calorie snack packs making you fat? Prevention magazine is discussing the top 'healthy foods' that really aren't.

Finally, would you rather be thin or happy? The answer seems obvious, but this anorexic fashion editor explains in disturbing detail why she chooses thin every time.

If you're watching what you eat, neighborhood barbecues can be a nightmare -- just picture it: Cheeseburgers on the grill, chips galore, sugary cocktails and rich desserts tempting you from atop the picnic table. Even the salads -- potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw -- are likely to be full of creamy calories. Those of you who are hoping to minimize the waistline damage your summer socializing will cause will probably make a beeline for the veggie tray, thinking that if you fill up on healthy stuff, you're less likely to gorge on the other stuff.

But the veggie tray comes with its own set of problems -- and it's called ranch dip. So tell me ...

Scared of marathons? I don't blame you -- the thought of running for 26.2 miles straight is pretty freakin' daunting. Heck, even the thought of running 10 miles non-stop seems like some sort of cruel masochistic punishment to many of us. Sure, maybe you're not a natural-born runner, but have no fear -- according to The New York Times, the Walk-Run Method is a way for regular Joes to get into long-distance running.

Most of us probably already do a version of this whenever we attempt to go for a jog -- as in, we run until we feel like we're going to die and then stop and stagger down the sidewalk, red-faced and gasping for air. But the Walk-Run Method is different -- you stop to walk at regular intervals, whether you're tired or not. If you're just starting, this might mean running for a minute, then walking for a minute -- as you get more experienced and increase your fitness level, though, the walk-to-run ratio will increase.

Intrigued? Click here for more information, and consider working this method into your fitness routine.

Looking for an easy way to eat less? According to recent research, dieters who ate an apple roughly half an hour before meals ate 15 percent less than those who ate nothing. And considering our own Bethany tried this apple method and found it to be a total piece of cake, maybe this is one slimming secret you should consider.

But eating so many apples might get old in a hurry -- want some other quick ways to curb your appetite before you tuck in? Maybe you should try having ...

• A cup of herbal tea. It's calorie-free and believe me, it can really fill you up.
• Sugarfree gum. Chewing before you eat can trick your brain into thinking you've already had a snack.
• Vegetable juice. A quick serving of V8 will calm a grumbling tummy and help you get your daily fill of veggies.
• Veggies and hummus. The fiber will fill you up for hours.
• Some other fruit. Who says you have to stick to apples? An orange, some blueberries or a mango are all delicious ways to help take the edge off your hunger without doing damage to your waistline.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Former fitness addict Britney Spears recently admitted that she's having trouble finding the motivation to sweat it out at the gym. Whew -- glad I'm not the only one.

Yummy -- asparagus is back in season, and over at Well, they're listing five healthy ways to enjoy it.

It sounds like a contradiction of terms, but nonetheless, Prevention magazine is listing the healthiest fast food choices out there.

According to Popeater, Kelly Clarkson is tired of hearing fat jokes about herself -- and rightly so!

He was told he'd never walk again, and yet this British professor is now fitter than he's ever been, thanks to yoga. How's that for inspirational?

Got lower back issues? Don't avoid the gym -- exercise can really help, according to the LA Times.

It's Friday. It's hot out. You're pumped for the weekend and can't wait to get it started. The perfect solution? A Long Island iced tea is a great drink to wind down the end of the summer work week with. It's cold, sweet and sure to get you buzzing before you reach the ice cubes. An added bonus? Made basically from a selection of spirits, plus some lemon and a dash of soda, it's fat-free -- but what about the calorie count?

It was everyone's favorite 'subject' in school -- now recess is set to make a comeback amidst news that 15-minute intense bursts of physical activity are as effective as hours at the gym. Yeah, I'm sure we'd all love to take some time out of our busy work days to go play tag in a nearby field, but the logistics of it are a nightmare -- after all, what would the boss say if you came back to work with grass stains all over your power suit?

Still, that doesn't mean you can't get in short sessions of activity throughout the day. Here are some suggestions:

• Take the stairs, and don't just amble up them -- run up them or take them two at a time. You'll be huffing and puffing by the time you reach the top, but you'll be energized for the rest of the morning.
• Swap your morning Starbucks run for a brisk speed walk around the block. Fresh air is better for your energy levels than a caffeine jolt anyway.
• Walk to the photocopier -- two floors up. And remember to take the stairs.
• Run for the bus, whether you're running late or not. Hey -- maybe you'll even impress your boss by arriving early.
• Offer to do the heavy lifting, like if your department needs a new box of paper. Just make sure you know how to lift properly -- busting your back will not help you get fit.

Got any other suggestions? Please share.

Did you hear about this? In England, a woman recently lost 50 pounds after she was hypnotised into thinking she had gastric band surgery -- now she's unable to eat more than a few bites at a time and swears she remembers being wheeled into the operating room. Now, whether you buy it or not (and I'm inclined towards not), this story does prove one thing: You really can think yourself thin.

However, I'm not telling you to seek the help of Madam Zorro, the Mystical Medium -- you can do this on your own. Here are some ways to harness the power of positive thought to your advantage: